96835180https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=1CED842F44A28D38Topping-out ceremony held for Taipei Municipal Xisong Elementary School activity center project Set for completion in 2027, creating a new community-shared highlight  The new student activity center project at Taipei Municipal Xisong Elementary School in Songshan District has reached an important milestone. This morning (July 29), Taipei City Government held a solemn topping-out ceremony led by Deputy Mayor Wen-Te Chang, together with relevant city government staff and the construction team, to pray for the smooth progress of the remaining work and the safety of personnel and machinery. The city also looks forward to the project being completed on schedule and to the expected quality, bringing new vitality to the campus and the surrounding community. Xisong Elementary School has a long history dating back to the Japanese colonial period. However, some of its school buildings have aged over time, and the campus has long lacked a large indoor venue and adequate sports facilities. To meet the teaching and learning needs of teachers and students while easing parking demand among nearby residents, the city government has actively planned this new smart and green building, realizing the shared goal of allowing the campus and the community to benefit together. Ming-Shen Kao, Section Chief of the Construction Section of the New Construction Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government, noted that the project is planned as a steel structure with two underground floors and six above-ground floors. The interior will include parking facilities on the two underground floors, while the above-ground floors will house a swimming pool, preschool, auditorium, rhythmic classroom, multi-purpose ball court, and other facilities. In the future, the center will not only lay the foundation for the school’s diverse development, but also effectively ease the shortage of parking spaces in nearby areas. Wen-Yen Chen Architects & Associates, which is responsible for design and supervision, has also shown thoughtful attention to architectural aesthetics. Chia-Wei Huang, Director of the Nangang Construction Office of the Taipei New Construction Office, explained that the activity center’s main design is built around three core concepts, “water ripples”, “dynamic musical notes”, and “speed and energy”, which correspond respectively to the swimming pool, auditorium, and multi-purpose ball court. High-saturation blue, red, and yellow frames and grilles are used to accent the light-gray exterior walls, creating a vivid, modern, and functional architectural appearance. Director Huang said the project officially broke ground on May 20, 2024, and today’s successful topping-out ceremony marks a key milestone in the construction process. The overall project is expected to be completed in 2027. Once completed, it is expected to fulfill Xisong Elementary School’s vision for diverse education, create a new highlight for education in Taipei, and provide teachers, students, and community residents with a high-quality, sustainable, friendly, and safe activity space.2026-08-12T09:47:00[][][{"title":"Figure 2 Teacher Hung-I Cheng leads the Xisong Elementary School choir, and Teacher Ya-Fen Chen leads the children’s band in opening the ceremony","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9683518/7740e3e2-f589-4ffc-b461-e3cc0aa20816.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 4 Deputy Mayor Wen-Te Chang leads the team in praying for the smooth progress of the project","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9683518/d37640e5-3341-496b-b467-6f4fcdc2222a.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 6 The main topping-out beam is hoisted into place, with wishes for the project’s smooth and successful completion","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9683518/68ef17c1-41ef-4947-b350-9b3defdfdc1b.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 8 Group photo of the Taipei New Construction Office construction team","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9683518/5000ac02-4c5b-4018-a882-fb37ea092bb5.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 10 Southwest-facing aerial renderin","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9683518/cef8af60-84bc-49d3-9d59-ce5ebe3f0d8f.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 12 Auditorium renderin","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9683518/ea0df802-68fa-401a-8cf6-820a438db882.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 1 Project location map showing the site and Yanshou public housin","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9683518/690b9ab8-0a49-4708-a8ab-e7068fff1ac1.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 3 Deputy Mayor Wen-Te Chang delivers remarks at the topping-out ceremony and encourages the smooth progress of the project","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9683518/307fc838-aee7-43aa-a6db-9e0e3f22500f.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 5 Deputy Mayor Wen-Te Chang conducts the golden bolt fastening ceremony, symbolizing a solid foundation","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9683518/de791af3-0b8a-4377-849c-f4e61952d1ec.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 7 The topping-out blessing ceremony is successfully completed","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9683518/ee33c7fa-01a0-4757-938f-184ad807313d.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 9 Southwest-facing completion renderin","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9683518/9af174f0-978d-4c85-8fb9-f462e7f44d8d.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 11 Indoor swimming pool renderin","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9683518/cd0aceb8-34e4-4103-a0fe-1a46002417c8.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 13 Multi-purpose ball court renderin","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9683518/8978a2b7-a622-4b2f-bf95-0881c1bc54e3.jpg"}][]New Construction Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government96872000https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=9B7625D09C0E45CEOver 130,000 Youth Participants Gather at Xiangti Avenue Plaza for the Taipei Dream Life Festival, Cheering “See You Next Year”.Setting the record with one hundred and thirty thousand participants, the 2026 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival concluded with performances by popular singers. On the first day, the performing band Mango Jump (芒果醬) surprised audiences by commencing their performance on the second-floor sky bridge, while youth fans lit up their phone flashlights, illuminating the night sky of Taipei City. On the final day, CG KTV brought group singing of classic Mandarin songs, transforming Xiangti Avenue Plaza into a grand outdoor KTV filled with enthusiastic chants of “See you next year”! In addition, internet users on the social media platform Threads described the festival as “ the way my dream life really is”! Youths Standing on the City’s Stage – Every Performance is the Beginning of a Dream This year’s Youth Diversity Performance Stage featured over thirty groups of youth performers, with performances ranging from singing, rapping, self-accompanied vocals, street dancing, K-Pop Covers, DJ performances, handpan performances, freestyle basketball, and acrobatics. Last year’s well-received “Open Stage” attracted nearly fifty groups of young participants, showcasing their endless creativity through music composition, dance, and street performances. At the event, world-champion wotagei performance group CHROnoZ fused glow stick dance with the art of light and shadow, delivering an unforgettable visual experience.  Furthermore, new-generation singer KezINE highlighted her unique electronic pop style, while creative singer Pika Chiu (邱振哲) performed his well-known song “Sun”, which has surpassed 100 million views, to the festival. The audience sang along in unison, bringing the atmosphere to its peak. Freestyle basketball performer Shenwei (Kao Mu-Kai) showcased his high-difficulty interactive performance, earning applause from audiences. This year also marked the debut of the Encore Stage, where the festival invited popular youth performers from last year to return to the stage. Through this platform, more youth performers and creators gained valuable performance experience, exposure, and opportunity to showcase their talents. Free Creator’s Market Stalls – Encouraging Youth Brands to Enter the Market and Engage with Consumers Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou of the Department for Youth stated that the Youth Dream Life festival is not only an opportunity for performances, but also an important starting point for youth entrepreneurship. This year’s festival featured more than thirty-five youth-created brands, spanning from sustainable design, stationery products, culture creativity, and unique culinary experiences. Among these brands were the Venusians (金星男子), FUXING MART (福星超市), and YO-SI (酉時喝酒), which are supported by the Department for Youth. These brands demonstrate young people’s ability to transform creativity into products and their aspirations into achievements through entrepreneurship. The Youth Creator’s Market also incorporated interactive booths by reinterpreting classic elements such as Beyblade and Mini FWD (Mini Four-Wheel Drive), allowing youths from different age groups to collaborate together through teamwork and competitions, bridging generations through laughter and shared memories. Many Youth Creator’s Market vendors state that providing free market stalls helped alleviate the financial pressure of rental costs. More importantly, the initiative created opportunities for them to gain exposure in Xinyi District – the area with the most foot traffic – while directly engaging with consumers and receiving valuable feedback.  During the event, members of the public even followed the brands’ social media accounts on the spot and inquired about purchasing information, allowing the two-day event to become an important source of momentum for the continued growth of these brands. From Monster Look-Alike Portraits to International Collaboration – Creativity Becoming an International Language for Communication. Beyond the Creator’s Market and performance stages, this year’s festival incorporated elements that supported youths' self-exploration and broadened their horizons through interactive exhibitions and international artist collaborations. The Golden Melody Award-winning design team Blob Club’s “Be Unique – Mysterious House” and the limited edition “monster look-alike portrait” attracted large crowds eager to line up and experience the exhibition. Each youth received their unique monster character, symbolizing the core concept of “be your unique self”. Meanwhile, through the four interactive zones – “Ideal Divination Station,” “Future Telecom,” “Co-Creation Graffiti Wall,” and “Youth Photo Booth” – youths were able to discover themselves and envision their future. Many youths took selfies with their fortune poems, and also wrote letters to their future selves, creating meaningful and lasting memories of their youth. This year, the festival also invited artists from the United States, Spain, Malaysia, and the Philippines to participate in the International Art Experience Workshop, bringing diverse  artistic experiences including breathing-inspired art, collage, 3D printing model painting, keychain collages, city hero collaborations, and portrait sketching. During the workshop, artists and youths shared their cultures and life stories, transforming art into an international language of communication and turning Xinyi Xiangti Avenue Plaza into an important platform for international youth collaboration. Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou explained that the theme “Youths are the Main Character” is not only the theme of the festival, but also the guiding principle for the Department for Youth. What youths need is not merely performance opportunities, creator’s markets, or exhibitions, but rather a stage that believes in and supports their potential. The Department for Youth will continue to provide resources in entrepreneurship, performances, career development, and international collaboration, accompanying young people as they transform creativity into creations, ideas into actions. Through these efforts, more youths in Taipei City discover their unique stage, making the city shine through the energy and creativity of youths. 2026-08-11T16:14:00[][][{"title":"Figure 2: Mango Jump (芒果醬) Taking a Group Photo with Young Participants.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9687200/f6f55865-6792-4760-8604-701e9ac4d85f.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 4: Theme Exhibition – “Be Unique – Mysterious House” with Enthusiastic Public Participation.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9687200/2c86cff3-27bf-4875-8f88-cb45f0dbbcaa.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 6: Music Stage – Golden Melody Award DJ Open-Air Party “CG KTV”","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9687200/6040ae1d-19c3-4438-8126-f8a5f3f163fb.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 1: Crowds Gathering at the Event.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9687200/162dbb51-9144-448e-92ff-33e82ee836b3.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 3: International Artist Experience Workshop – International Artists Collaborating with Members of the Public.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9687200/6275171b-dd90-4a32-b333-512f34e5dbb9.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 5: Youth Creator's Market – Youth Brands Engaging with Members of the Public.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9687200/b2cb5feb-ef52-41df-8a44-5ffd391f4ded.jpg"}][]Department for Youth, Taipei City Government96855770https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=9C3154452985541F2026 AI+ Startup Pitch Contest Draws Record 76 Applications from 17 Countries; 6 Startups Selected for October Taipei Demo DayA total of 76 startup teams from 17 countries competed, with 6 exceptional teams emerging victorious! The Department of Economic Development of Taipei City Government announced the results of the "2026 Taipei AI+ Startup Pitch Contest" today. The selected teams will be invited to Taipei in October to participate in the Demo Day, engaging in exchanges and matchmaking with local enterprises, investors, and the startup ecosystem. Fully focusing on AI applications and technological innovation while prioritizing robotics-related products, this year's contest drew 76 startup teams from 17 countries—an increase of 4 countries and 26 international teams compared to last year, reaching a record high. While Singapore led the entries with 13 teams, the event attracted startups across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Australia—including Germany, Italy, and the UK in Europe; Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, the UAE, and Iraq in Asia; Canada, the US, and Chile in the Americas; as well as Australia—demonstrating the competition's growing international visibility. The applicants represented seven diverse sectors, including newly added categories for fintech and energy technology. Healthcare led the field with 11 teams, followed by manufacturing, education and HR, AI and enterprise software, and transportation and logistics, showing strong interest from global startups across various industries in Taipei’s business market. A panel of judges—representing AppWorks, ASUS, and Wistron—evaluated the applicants based on technological innovation, market potential, and international scalability. Following an initial document review by the three judges, 10 teams from Canada, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, and the UAE advanced to the online pitch round, and ultimately, six international startups were selected to travel to Taipei from October 14 to 16 for the Taipei AI+ Startup Demo Day, corporate visits, and tailored business-matching sessions. The six selected startups are (Sorted alphabetically):<ul><li>Ailytics (Singapore): Applying AI video analytics to improve construction-site safety and productivity.</li><li>ASKaFOX (Canada): Using AI to support supplier sourcing and factory audits.</li><li>Autonomique (Canada): Bringing physical AI to robotics for the precise manipulation tasks required in manufacturing.</li><li>IMBdx (South Korea): Developing AI-powered liquid-biopsy solutions for cancer diagnostics.</li><li>LAgentBot (Singapore): Providing AI-agent and workflow-automation solutions for enterprises.</li><li>Tilda (South Korea): Delivering AI optimization solutions for manufacturing and energy operations.</li></ul> Together, the selected startups represent a broad range of AI applications, including physical AI, supply chains, medical diagnostics, video analytics, manufacturing, energy, and enterprise automation. Their selection reflects both the diversity of global AI innovation and Taipei’s continued efforts to connect with international startup ecosystems. The six teams will join a three-day Taipei business visit from October 14 to 16. The program will include in-person pitches at the Taipei AI+ Startup Demo Day, corporate visits, and customized matchmaking sessions. Notably, three local Taipei-based startups aligned with this year’s AI theme will also be invited to present alongside the international teams, fostering technology matching and cross-border collaboration. These activities are designed to help founders understand local industry needs, with the aim of attracting foreign startups to set up operations in Taipei and boosting the city's global competitiveness.2026-08-07T15:03:00[][][{"title":"Judges and finalist startup teams interact during the Q_A session_0","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/302/relpic/31011/9685577/d895551d-3271-4cdd-996e-69be1d71df95.png"},{"title":"Judges and finalist startup teams gather virtually during the online pitch round_0","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/302/relpic/31011/9685577/a2641328-f530-4bb4-b7f6-8bfc0682fdc3.png"}][]Department of Economic Development ,Taipei City Government96867110https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=E1A591B53454AF9DModerate Typhoon Dolphin is gradually approaching, and Taipei City Fire Department urges the public to step up typhoon prepared-ness.Typhoon No. 13 of this year (2026), "Dolphin," is currently located approximately 680 kilometers east-northeast of Taipei and is moving westward at a speed of 11 kilometers per hour, continuing toward the waters north of Taiwan. The Central Weather Administration is-sued a sea warning at 2:30 p.m. today (August 7). Taipei City is ex-pected to be affected by the typhoon's outer circulation from August 7 to August 10, bringing continued showers that could become heavy rain or torrential rain, accompanied by Beaufort force 7 to 9 gusts. The Taipei City Fire Department urges the public to remain vigilant and complete all necessary typhoon preparedness measures as early as possible. The Fire Department advises residents to take advantage of the re-maining preparation time before the typhoon arrives by thoroughly inspecting their homes and surroundings. Secure or bring indoors potted plants, hanging objects, signboards, and other items that may become airborne in strong winds. Clean balconies, rooftop drains, and nearby drainage ditches to reduce the risk of flooding caused by blocked drainage. Construction site fences, scaffolding, and large billboards should also be inspected and reinforced. Residents living in low-lying areas, on hillsides, or near rivers should prepare sand-bags and flood barriers in advance, remain alert for landslides and debris flows, and immediately comply with any evacuation orders is-sued by the authorities. In addition, residents are encouraged to prepare an emergency go-bag containing at least a three-day supply of drinking water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, a portable radio, a power bank, and other daily necessities in case of power outages or emer-gency evacuation. During the typhoon, avoid going outdoors unless absolutely necessary, and do not visit mountainous, river, or coastal areas for sightseeing, wave watching, fishing, or other recreational activities. During power outages, avoid using open flames for light-ing to reduce the risk of fire. In an emergency, call 1999, 119, or 110 for assistance. The Fire Department also reminds residents to stay informed through the Disaster Prevention Taipei website (eoc.gov.taipei), download the Taipei City Disaster Prevention App, and subscribe to the Taipei City Government's official LINE account to receive the latest updates on weather conditions, flooding, evacuation shelters, school and office closures, floodgate operations, and temporary parking regulations. By staying informed and well prepared, everyone can help safeguard lives and property.2026-08-07T09:00:00[][][][]Taipei City Fire Department96845560https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=EA03918E5D591E8FOverview of Taipei City Factory RegistrationAs of July. 2026, the number of legally registered factories in the City was 863 wherein 123 are manufacturers of computers, electronic and optical products; 112 are manufacturers of fabricated metal products; 114 are manufacturers of food products; 65 are printing and reproduction factories of recorded media; 70 are manufacturers of machinery and equipment; 54 are manufacturers of electrical equipment; and 53 are manufacturers of electronic parts and components; totaling 591 factories, and accounting for 68.48% of the total number of factories in the City. They are the major categories of the City’s existing factories. Distribution by administrative region: Neihu District tops the rank with 384 factories, followed by Nangang District with 217 factories, together making up 69.64％ of the total. Source: Industry and Business Division of the Department of Economic Development, Taipei City Government2026-08-06T11:10:00[][][][]Department of Economic Development ,Taipei City Government96839600https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=D1B1C15462816DA18,000 Hours of Compassion: Taipei Animal Shelter Volunteers Honored with Ministry of Health and Welfare Volunteer Service MedalsVolunteers at the Taipei Animal Shelter, operated by the Taipei City Animal Protection Office, have long been dedicated to caring for sheltered animals. Through their dedicated service, they provide care and companionship to stray dogs and cats as they wait to find loving homes. The volunteer team contributes more than 20,000 service hours each year. Rain or shine, they remain steadfast in their commitment, actively assisting with animal care, socialization training, and adoption promotion, becoming a constant source of warmth for shelter animals awaiting their forever homes. In recognition of their years of selfless dedication and outstanding service, as of 2026, the shelter's volunteers have received a total of one Gold, three Silver, and ten Bronze Volunteer Service Medals from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. These honors not only reflect the volunteers' compassion and respect for life, but also highlight their selfless dedication to protecting stray animals. The Taipei City Animal Protection Office (TCAPO) stated that, under the Regulations for Volunteer Service Awards, volunteers who accumulate 3,000, 5,000, and 8,000 hours of volunteer service are eligible to apply for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Volunteer Service Medals, respectively. Statistics show that between 2023 and 2025, a total of 10 volunteers from the Taipei Animal Shelter received Volunteer Service Awards from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, including 4 Silver Medals and 7 Bronze Medals. In this year's award application, the Taipei Animal Shelter once again achieved excellent results. The shelter successfully nominated its outstanding volunteers for one Gold Medal (upgraded from Silver) and three Bronze Medals (first-time recipients). One of the award recipients, Xiao-Wei, said, "I joined the volunteer team in 2008, and over the past nearly 20 years, the 3,000 hours behind this Bronze Medal represent my unwavering commitment to every life. During this time, I have devoted myself to providing temporary medical foster care for injured and sick cats. To date, I have cared for more than 300 kittens and accompanied seriously ill senior cats through peaceful end-of-life care with dignity. I hope to continue taking action to bring hope to shelter animals and help change their fate." TCAPO noted that this dedication reflects the spirit of all shelter volunteers. Their quiet dedication over thousands of days is not only the highest recognition of the individuals being honored, but also brings warmth and positive energy to society. TCAPO hopes that the stories of these award-winning volunteers will inspire more people who love animals to participate in volunteer service and work together to change the lives of more shelter animals.TCAPO stated that, to continue strengthening animal protection capacity, the second volunteer recruitment drive of 2026 is scheduled to take place from August to September. The recruitment guidelines and registration information will be announced in the Volunteer Recruitment section of the Taipei City Animal Protection Office website <a href="https://reurl.cc/Wb5yZO" title="">Link</a> . Members of the public who are passionate about animals and share our commitment are encouraged to follow the recruitment updates and join our volunteer team as we work together to change the lives of more stray animals.2026-08-05T14:51:00[][][{"title":"Figure 2. Volunteers providing dedicated service_","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/412/relpic/31011/9683960/6170d2bc-7727-4473-940c-c7a9a3f678b4.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 1. Volunteer -Wei, Bronze Volunteer Service Medal recipient_","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/412/relpic/31011/9683960/a4e61bcc-0327-4f30-ad80-50dfdb11b7cc.jpg"}][]Taipei City Animal Protection Office96835280https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=D61F14FF1E0D0CF7Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Under Dark Skies; Mercury and Venus Shine in August’s Celestial HighlightsThe year's most anticipated Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak on Thursday, August 13, under nearly moonless skies, providing excellent observing conditions. To celebrate the event, the Taipei Astronomical Museum will host a live Perseid Meteor Shower webcast from 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, featuring invited guests discussing fascinating facts and stories about meteors. In addition to the Perseids, August also offers outstanding opportunities to observe the inner planets, with Mercury at greatest western elongation, Venus at greatest eastern elongation, and a Mercury–Jupiter conjunction, making this a spectacular month for skywatchers.The highlight of August is undoubtedly the Perseid meteor shower, one of the three major annual meteor showers. It is expected to peak during the morning of August 13, with a predicted Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) of up to 100 meteors per hour, while observers under good conditions can realistically expect to see around 70 meteors per hour. The shower's radiant rises at approximately 8:30 p.m. on August 12, and the best viewing period lasts until dawn on August 13, with meteor activity increasing after midnight. Perseid meteors are known for their high speed, relatively bright appearance, and frequent fireballs. Since the Moon will be near the new moon, there will be virtually no moonlight interference, creating exceptionally dark skies and increasing the chances of spotting even fainter meteors. The Museum recommends finding a location with an unobstructed view of the sky and simply watching with the naked eye to enjoy the spectacle of meteors streaking across the night sky.August is also an excellent month for observing the inner planets, Mercury and Venus. On Sunday, August 2, Mercury reaches its second greatest western elongation of the year, standing 19.5 degrees from the Sun. Around this date, Mercury, shining at magnitude 0.2, can be found low above the eastern horizon before sunrise. Then, on Saturday, August 15, Venus reaches its only greatest eastern elongation of the year, shining brilliantly at magnitude –4.5 and standing 45.9 degrees from the Sun, making it the best opportunity of the year to observe the dazzling planet. During evening twilight, observers can enjoy the striking sight of Venus paired with a slender crescent Moon in the western sky. Before dawn on Sunday, August 16, Mercury and Jupiter will also appear in conjunction, separated by only about 0.5 degrees above the east-northeastern horizon.For more information about August's celestial events and the Perseid Meteor Shower live webcast, please visit the Taipei Astronomical Museum website.2026-08-04T16:51:00[][][{"title":"2023Perseid Meteor Shower","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/440/relpic/31011/9683528/cbf2d43c-0f53-4371-8a7a-3c84042b23e6.jpg"}][]Taipei Astronomical Museum96832340https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=A3871DB4BAA2E0C2Smoke-Free Taipei : Smoke-Free Zones Designated Smoking Areas.2026-08-04T11:20:00[][][{"title":"Smoke-Free Taipei - Dihua","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/302/relpic/31011/9683234/db692999-31e6-4cd6-a1dc-a8c232cbed57.jpg"},{"title":"Smoke-Free Taipei - Outdoor Negative-Pressure Smoking Areas","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/302/relpic/31011/9683234/6affbe76-2230-495c-a151-09e0f7c34caa.jpg"},{"title":"Smoke-Free Taipei - Zhongshan","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/302/relpic/31011/9683234/fc2fff0a-8971-4946-ac6a-787b411e154e.jpg"},{"title":"Smoke-Free Taipei - Ximendin","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/302/relpic/31011/9683234/bb914387-1732-409e-ac8a-a5a489724a18.jpg"}][]Department of Economic Development ,Taipei City Government96781000https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=C51A69A24941AF5DA New Highlight on Taipei’s Waterfront! Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge Officially Opens A stunning new riverside landmark is arriving along the Keelung River in Taipei. The Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge, organized by the New Construction Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government, officially opened today (July 20) following full efforts by the construction team to complete the project. Combining traffic maintenance, recreation, and environmental aesthetics, the scenic bridge not only connects the riverside road networks on both the Neihu and Songshan banks, but also features a distinctive oval viewing platform at its center. Seen from above, the platform resembles a brilliant eye, earning the bridge the nickname “Eye of the Skyline”. It is set to become Taipei’s newest and most popular photo spot. Taipei Mayor Chiang, Wan-An said that Guanshan Riverside Park on the Songshan side of Minquan Bridge and Rainbow Riverside Park on the Neihu side are important recreational spaces where residents walk and jog on weekdays and enjoy activities such as baseball, softball, and cycling on weekends. To further upgrade residents’ leisure experience, the city government team applied creative thinking and successfully transformed the temporary traffic-maintenance bridge originally used during the “Minquan Bridge Superstructure Renovation Project” into this cross-river scenic pedestrian bridge. Mayor Chiang emphasized that after the opening of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge, residents can not only enjoy sweeping views of the Keelung River, surrounding mountains, and lakes, but also experience the impressive sight of aircraft taking off and landing up close. The project not only strengthens convenient access between the urban area and riverside green spaces, but also realizes the vision of comfortable waterfront living shared by all. The New Construction Office pointed out that rich environmental aesthetics were incorporated into the design of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge. The main structure adopts a lightweight steel design, giving the bridge a smooth silhouette like an elegant ribbon gently sweeping across the Keelung River. Together with MacArthur No. 1 Bridge and MacArthur No. 2 Bridge in the background, it creates a layered urban skyline. The bridge deck has been carefully planned with a spacious, flat viewing platform and a barrier-free, user-friendly circulation route. In the future, whether residents wish to take in the vibrant nightscape of Neihu Technology Park or capture the sunset glow along the Keelung River, they will be able to move freely and comfortably across the bridge. It is expected to become a new destination for photography enthusiasts and social media photo lovers. In addition to its streamlined daytime appearance, the nighttime light installation of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge is another major highlight of the project. The bridge features an innovative lighting design that echoes the existing illumination along both banks of the Keelung River. At night, the bridge will shift through different lighting colors and themes according to the time and festive occasions. Reflected on the shimmering river surface, the light and shadow resemble a brilliant galaxy. This not only greatly improves safety for nighttime jogging and walking, but also adds a romantic touch to Taipei’s nightscape. The New Construction Office added that after its opening, the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge safely and comfortably connects Guanshan Riverside Park on the Songshan side with Rainbow Riverside Park on the Neihu side. Residents are welcome to visit after the opening and enjoy this “light trip” that brings together greenery and waterfront scenery, while experiencing the new charm of Taipei as a waterfront city.2026-07-31T09:25:00[][][{"title":"Photo 01 Distant view of the downstream side of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge 1","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/ac712c04-e145-44b7-bfe7-50f32b5f0f44.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 03 Aerial view of the downstream side of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/f5b53050-15e6-45f1-82ef-68035e4f99cb.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 05 Neihu end of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/ab8c7de7-0ea7-460b-bcca-f2381bd9da23.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 07 Overhead view from the Neihu end of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/252699a7-2521-4908-a1ef-c52315c652bb.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 09 Opening ceremony of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge remarks by Mayor Chiang","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/c353a874-3565-4109-bf9e-e2c931bc5d3d.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 11 Opening ceremony of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge group photo of the Mayor, councilors, and city government personnel","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/3ce3d039-c0b9-4d3d-9776-405004013aeb.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 13 On-site tour of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/ce9478d7-eb7c-444c-b497-49ff60ee6480.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 15 Opening ceremony of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge group photo of the Mayor and construction team","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/8b8de328-c114-42c4-81a4-52fbf71a6f87.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 02 Distant view of the downstream side of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge 2","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/edbfabd3-78ff-4f6a-94ca-c92f12342c99.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 04 Songshan end of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/4397779c-4a73-49c7-ac36-b219dd6ebb8e.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 06 Viewing platform of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/d5ec1b54-be66-4b9d-b9f3-e610d4bb1592.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 08 Nighttime ambient lighting of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/1a94ff48-3bd0-4860-b706-d484dfb057b8.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 10 Opening ceremony of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge briefing by Chief Engineer Chen of the New Construction Office","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/8a1be23c-90fc-4107-91bf-36ca3bed369d.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 12 Opening ceremony of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge ribbon-cutting ceremony","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/1b043f33-02f8-4c41-bbb7-59e65b4ee9a4.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 14 Opening ceremony of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge group photo of the Mayor and distinguished guests","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/c99c79c6-9a2a-4877-b968-15b6507566c9.jpg"},{"title":"Photo 16 Opening ceremony of the Minquan Bridge Scenic Pedestrian Bridge group photo of the New Construction Office team","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9678100/f5a367e9-a210-495e-bf33-abae9e3f335c.jpg"}][]New Construction Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government96804730https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=D0EE8F7B1F138818Taipei made its debut at the 2026 International Forum on Youth Policy in Seoul, sharing its youth policies and extending the Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Affairs Cooperation.This July, for the first time, the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, was invited to the 2026 International Forum on Youth Policy. Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou and the delegation traveled to Seoul to deliver a keynote presentation and exchange insights with youth policy experts from Korea and Singapore on Taipei’s commitment to youth career development, international engagement, and youth empowerment. Furthermore, the Department for Youth renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Youth Affairs Cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, deepening the commitment to the long-standing partnership between the two cities and expanding Taipei’s international youth collaboration platform.  Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou delivered a keynote presentation titled “Empowering Young Futures: Taipei’s Career Pathway for Youth,” introducing Taipei’s four pillars of youth career development: “Discover,” “Experience,” “Create,”  and “Go Global.” Through one-stop career support services, industry talent development programs, domestic and international internship opportunities, and entrepreneurship support, these initiatives accompany young people as they explore their identities, gain practical experiences, and prepare for the global workforce. The Department also shared Taipei’s practical experiences and achievements in supporting youth development with youth policy experts from around the world.  The forum was hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Center, with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon delivering opening remarks. Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou presented Mayor Oh with a signature gift representing Taipei’s youth creativity and innovation, symbolizing the strong friendship and partnership between Taipei and Seoul in advancing youth exchange and collaboration.  During the forum, the Department for Youth also engaged in in-depth discussions with experts from the National Youth Policy Institute of Korea, the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET), and the National University of Singapore. By exchanging experiences and learning from each country’s approaches to youth policy, the Department gained valuable insights that will serve as an important reference for further strengthening Taipei’s youth policies.  Another key outcome of the visit was the return visit to Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Youth & Future Planning Bureau, where Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou and Youth & Future Planning Bureau Representative Kim Cheol-hee signed the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Youth Affairs Cooperation. Through the renewed MOU, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to continuing youth policy exchanges, promoting engagement between young people in Taipei and Seoul, and establishing a cooperation mechanism for government officials responsible for youth affairs, further strengthening the partnership between the two cities.  The Department for Youth also visited the 2026 Seoul Youth Policy Expo to gain firsthand insights into Seoul’s integrated youth policies supporting employment, entrepreneurship, and daily life. The delegation observed innovative initiatives such as the Youth Comprehensive Consultation Counter and Pre-employment Color Analysis, learning how Korea integrates cross-departmental resources to provide one-stop youth services. These experiences offered valuable references for further enhancing Taipei’s youth services and policy development.  Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou emphasized that since its establishment, the Department has actively supported youths in broadening their global perspectives and developing cross-cultural competencies through international forums, city exchanges, overseas internship opportunities, and volunteer programs. Building on Seoul’s participation in Taipei’s 2025 Global InnoYouth Summit, the Department was invited this year to attend the Forum and renew the MOU on Youth Affairs Cooperation. This not only demonstrates international recognition of Taipei’s youth policies but also further strengthens the foundation for collaboration between Taipei and Seoul. Looking ahead, the Department will continue partnering with more international cities to expand opportunities for youth exchange and learning, fulfilling its vision of “Connecting Taipei’s youth with the world and bringing the world to Taipei.”2026-07-28T17:30:00[][][{"title":"Figure 2: The Department for Youth, together with youth policy experts from Korea and Singapore, participated in the 2026 International Forum on Youth Policy, deepening international exchange on youth policies.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9680473/7d90c5e7-9fe5-4d11-8734-9e82e5d18c76.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 4: The Department for Youth toured the 2026 Seoul Youth Policy Expo to gain firsthand insights into Seoul's youth policy initiatives and achievements. Through exhibition visits and on-site exchanges, the Department gained valuable experience in youth employment, career development, and public participation policies.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9680473/901a4ba3-4538-4eb1-b410-c9a04335ca98.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 1: During the Department for Youth's visit to the 2026 Seoul Youth Policy Expo, Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou exchanged greetings with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and presented him with a gift from a Taipei youth handcrafted brand.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9680473/5dfbdd0d-974e-471d-be5d-e072de628e3c.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 3: The Department of Youth met with Kim Cheol-hee, Representative of the Future & Youth Planning Bureau of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on youth affairs cooperation, further strengthening Taiwan-Korea youth policy collaboration and city-to-city exchange.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9680473/b2ee21c3-0e19-4e08-abc8-43a66063d832.jpg"}][]Department for Youth, Taipei City Government96794400https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=2697C1F7A4FF8322Visit the Water Co-Learning Park and Discover Taipei's Water Story!Taipei's only water resources education program, Traveling with Water in Taipei, returns for 2026!Reservations are now open for two unique learning experiences: "Inside a Pumping Station" and "Neihu's Hidden Gem." 🚀The plum rain season may leave everything feeling damp, but have you ever wondered where all that rainwater goes?How does a major city like Taipei safely withstand one torrential downpour after another?The Water Co-Learning Park (Xinsheng-Jianguo Pumping Station) and the Jinrui Flood Management Park, located in the upstream and downstream sections of the city's drainage system, each play a unique role in protecting Taipei from flooding.Through thoughtfully designed interactive activities and guided tours, these programs offer an engaging way to learn about urban water management. Whether you're a teacher planning an educational field trip or an organization looking for an in-depth group experience, these two sites will change the way you think about water infrastructure.Program duration: Approximately 2–3 hours (ideal for a half-day trip, including travel time)Group size: School classes or community groups of approximately 15–20 participantsAdmission: Free of charge, organized by the Hydraulic Engineering Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government👉 Reserve your visit today! (Reservations are accepted up to three months in advance.) Water Co-Learning Park:https://www.ff-eco.com/environmentaleducation-2/Jinrui Flood Management Park:https://www.ff-eco.com/environmentaleducation-3/ 2026-07-27T16:00:00[][][{"title":"Main event visual","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/355/relpic/31011/9679440/2341d9fd-f010-4dca-b52e-78a58347a8a5.png"}][]Hydraulic Engineering Office96785250https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=771565FC2067AD4ATBS’s Lohas and Health and Happy Life in Taipei Win Taiwan Pharmaceutical Reporting Awards, Recognizing Their Efforts to Promote Public Health and Well-BeingThe “2026 Taiwan Pharmaceutical Reporting Awards” were announced on July 10, with Taipei Broadcasting Station achieving remarkable success once again. The segment The Fine Line Between Medicine and Drugs from Lohas and Health, hosted by Ming-Hui Chou, received the “Excellence Award in the Audio Category,” while the segment Pharmacist at My Home from Happy Life in Taipei, hosted by Wei-Hua Lin, received an “Honorable Mention in the Audio Category.” These two programs have received awards year after year, demonstrating TBS’s commitment to addressing public well-being and promoting the safe use of medications.The “Taiwan Pharmaceutical Reporting Awards,” organized by the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations, focused this year on themes such as pharmaceutical expertise, epidemic prevention, public health, and charitable contributions. The aim was to enhance public understanding of pharmacists through high-quality reports, fostering positive interactions between pharmacists and the public, and building a high-quality professional image for Taiwanese pharmacists.The station’s program Lohas and Health received an Excellence Award for its segment The Fine Line Between Medicine and Drugs, which explored the topic of “From Drug-Impaired Driving Prevention to Campus Outreach: Pharmacists Protecting Medication Safety.” Host Ming-Hui Chou used recent, high-profile drug-impaired driving cases as a starting point, focusing on etomidate commonly known as “zombie vape.” She interviewed the Taipei Pharmacists Association and frontline pharmacists, drawing on their expertise to analyze the substance’s medical uses, abuse risks, and impact on public safety. The segment further examines the fine line between medicine and drugs, illustrating the important role of pharmacists in the management of controlled substances, the promotion of medication safety, and anti-drug education. The program explored how pharmacists are bringing drug prevention education into schools through game-based teaching, going beyond simple reporting on social issues. By examining the issue from a pharmacy and public health perspective, it helped the public to better understand the vital role pharmacists play in protecting health and ensuring social safety. The Happy Life in Taipei program received an honorable mention for its segment Pharmacist at My Home, specifically the episode titled “Promoting Mental Health Hand in Hand with Pharmacists: A Word of Concern, a Guidance, a Ray of Hope.” Host Wei-Hua Lin used commonly experienced mental health issues as a starting point, sharing stories from community pharmacies and insights from professional pharmacists. The episode highlighted that pharmacists do more than ensure medication safety; they also provide timely resources and assistance for mental health. It explored how pharmacists can become guardian angels, preventing individuals from falling into crisis, by offering a word of concern, helpful guidance, and prompt referrals to appropriate resources.The Happy Life in Taipei program airs from 10:00 to 12:00 every Monday through Friday, while Lohas and Health airs from 20:00 to 21:00 every Saturday and Sunday. Both programs can be heard on TBS’s FM 93.1 and AM 1134 channels. They are also available on the “T Radio” Internet radio platform (https://tradio.gov.taipei/), where listeners can enjoy a wide range of high-quality programs, including all episodes from the past year. For the latest program updates, please visit the TBS Facebook fan page (https://www.facebook.com/FM93.1AM1134). <img src="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/464/relpic/31011/9678525/fdd1ac0b-828e-472b-bfd9-66bc401bfaa5.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="TBS host Ming-Hui Chou won an Excellence Award for her program segment on health">TBS’s Ming-Hui Chou, host of the program Lohas and Health, received an Excellence Award in the Audio Category for the segment The Fine Line Between Medicine and Drugs<img src="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/464/relpic/31011/9678525/0411ec02-d2a9-4b75-8e68-99e4b3b04a7f.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="TBS host Wei-Hua Lin won an Honorable Mention Award in the Audio Category">TBS’s Wei-Hua Lin, host of the program Happy Life in Taipei, received an “Honorable Mention in the Audio Category” for the segment Pharmacist at My Home 2026-07-24T11:18:00[][][{"title":"臺北電臺周明慧主持人《Lohas健康有約》節目《藥與毒的一線之隔》單元榮獲聲音組特優殊榮","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/464/relpic/31011/9678525/fdd1ac0b-828e-472b-bfd9-66bc401bfaa5.jpg"},{"title":"臺北電臺林偉華主持人《幸福生活館》節目《藥師在我家》單元榮獲「聲音組佳作」","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/464/relpic/31011/9678525/0411ec02-d2a9-4b75-8e68-99e4b3b04a7f.jpg"}][]Taipei Broadcasting Station96769740https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=F6043980C62F5434The Chillest Way to Spend a Summer Weekend – Join Us at the 2026 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival on July 25 and 26! The annual event that understands youth the most is here! The 2026 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival’s theme, “Youths Are the Main Character”, combines eight groups of popular bands and singers, over thirty youth band performances, over thirty-five youth-created brands, and four themed exhibitions. This creates opportunities for communication and diverse performances while giving youths a platform for connection. The festival will be held on July 25 and 26, from 2 PM to 9 PM at Xiangti Avenue Plaza. The Department for Youth has specially invited Karencici、Ivy Lee (艾薇) 、Mango Jump (芒果醬)、Wendy Wander (溫蒂漫步)、GGteens (公館青少年) 、Dremedreman (曾妮)、Hogan T. (鄒序) , and Sandwich Fail (打倒三明治) to perform during the two-day event, demonstrating musical creativity through diverse music genres and bringing youths’ unique rhythms to the summer. Unique Youth Creator’s Market – A Combination of Food and Drinks!The Department for Youth states that aside from music performances, the event will also include a “Creator’s Market” and a “Youth Diversity Performance Stage”. The Youth Creator’s Market includes more than thirty-five youth brands, spanning unique designs, delicious food, and explorations of foreign cultures. Among these is the Department for Youth Support Team, which will showcase entrepreneurship achievements. Other featured brands include Sentimental, FUXING MART, and TOMU (望山穗), a unique beverage brand that incorporates traditional Taiwanese rice wine with a modern twist. Furthermore, we have creative brands such as YOU-SI (酉時喝酒), which combines tea and alcohol. Moreover, there are also interactive events such as Beyblade tournaments. Spending over a designated amount also allows visitors to redeem limited-edition gifts. We invite everyone to visit the Creator’s Market while exploring youth creativity. The Youth Diversity Performance Stage includes more than thirty performance groups, featuring handpan performances, tap dancing, DJs, and acrobatics, unleashing vibrant creativity through diverse mediums. We’ve also expanded the “Open Stage” from 2025, attracting over fifty youth groups to participate, featuring self-accompanied singing, rap, musical instrument performances, and dance, transcending different fields of creativity on stage. In addition, this year, we have added an encore stage, allowing last year’s popular experimental performers to return to the stage. There will also be exciting dance battles, Suspension Production’s “Elastic Partner” circus acrobatics, the Qinji Golden Melody DJ Open-Air Party, and many other exciting performances, inviting youths to participate in a lively and creative summer weekend. Fourth Themed Exhibitions Explore Youths’ Ideal Lives Through a Mystical Whimsical House created by the Golden Melody Award-winning Design Team.The Department for Youth is launching four interactive zones, including “Ideal Divination Station,” “Future Telecom,” “Co-Creation Graffiti Wall,” and “Youth Photo Booth”, and has invited the Golden Melody Award-winning design team Blob Club to design the “Be Unique – Mysterious House.” This incorporates creative interactive experiences, guiding youths to explore themselves, imagining the future and searching for their unique ideal lives. “Ideal Divination Station” uses traditional cultural stories as its setting, allowing youths to receive their own fortune poems and explore future paths through different choices. “Future Telecom” is a vintage telephone booth inviting youths to leave a voice memo to their future selves, recording their thoughts and aspirations. Then, we have the “Co-Creation Graffiti Wall”, encouraging youths to unleash their creativity, and work together to create  unique youth memories. Lastly, “Youth Photo Booth” combines retro aesthetics with real-time imagery to preserve the memories of your youth in the present moment. Designed to empower youths to discover their inner charm, the “Be Unique – Mysterious House” interactive castle installation features whimsical designs that convey the inspiring core concept that “being unique is your own superpower,” encouraging youths to discover their personal charms. Furthermore, there will be a limited edition “monster look-alike” activity by Blob Club Art Design Crew, transforming youths’ facial features into trendy monster characters and creating a memorable keepsake from this summer in the city. The 2026 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival will be completely free. We sincerely invite everyone to join us on July 25 and 26 at Xiangti Avenue Plaza in Xinyi District. Let’s explore Taipei’s youth culture and creative power together. By completing designated on-site activities, you’ll have the opportunity to win exclusive prizes, including Taipei City Government Department for Youth ChaKao (查高) illustration co-branded phone mirror stands, cute doll bags, and limited edition card holders.2026-07-21T17:25:00[][][{"title":"Figure 2: 2026 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival Cast Announcement – Karencici.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/c74568c5-2537-4afb-b61d-ddb8e8d283c8.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 4: 2026 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival Cast Announcement – Ivy Lee.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/aed38276-ec6e-47bd-be19-201aaa103343.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 6: 2026 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival Cast Announcement – GGteens.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/f9274f87-f56f-4de9-b9bb-96aa32eb82b1.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 8: 2026 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival Cast Announcement – Sandwich Fail.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/0011fc6a-625e-4e70-8444-69287fc3ba98.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 11: 2025 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival Highlights – Youths singing together as one.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/dbc2c6eb-17ff-4595-8b04-0b73854c9903.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 14: 2025 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival Event Highlight – Last year’s experimental performer Y.Y (瀛瑩). As her performance was well-received last year, she will be part of the encore stage this year, showcasing youth creativity.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/4c194b6c-286d-4a91-94e0-e97eeb9e4222.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 10: Golden Melody Award-winning design team Blob Club unveils their “Be Unique – Mysterious House,” offering daily limited-edition “Monster Look-Alike” portraits. ","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/d413c3fd-b713-4824-a013-7190fb3a84ac.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 1: 2026 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival Advertisement Poster.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/ba2cf84c-b0b9-40e1-bc60-2076502c39c7.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 3: 2026 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival Cast Announcement – Mango Jump. ","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/1f1927b5-fc20-4bbe-9346-4e5c372b890a.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 5: 2026 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival Cast – Wendy Wander.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/d054f5fa-381d-4740-9058-5caae98cfba5.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 7: 2026 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival Cast Announcement – Dremedreman.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/37a1cf8a-592e-4e96-bcc0-459899d5a4b3.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 9: 2026 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival Cast Announcement – Hogan T.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/d7b39e34-b37a-4374-9c1d-7448dac1a771.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 12: 2025 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival Event Highlight.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/da875125-eaca-439f-966e-7a4bad1d0518.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 13: Highlight from the 2025 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival – Youth Diversity Dance Battle.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/6118e80d-b869-4e3d-8263-c9127388ab0f.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 15: 2025 Taipei Youth Dream Life Festival Event Highlight – Youth Creator’s Market with great food, great shopping, and plenty of fun things to do.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9676974/1a3e830f-7322-4cc6-902d-97f27548818f.jpg"}][]Department for Youth, Taipei City Government96743810https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=49FCD1751AC209EFTaipei Broadcasting Station’s “Love in Taipei: Summer Concert” - Revisiting a Century of Classic Taiwanese Hokkien Pop Music The concert will take place on July 18 at Taipei Zhongshan Hall, with free tickets available from July 10.To celebrate its 65th anniversary, Taipei Broadcasting Station (TBS) will host the 2026 “Love in Taipei: Summer Concert” on July 18 at Taipei Zhongshan Hall. The concert, themed “Stories of Taiwanese Hokkien Pop Musicians,” will showcase performances by veteran and rising stars, including Anna Wang, Ming-Te Li, and Roger Wang, reinterpreting classic Taiwanese Hokkien pop songs by legendary musicians Yu-Hsien Teng and San-Lang Yang. Free tickets will be available from 10:00 on July 10. Reserve yours early and join us for this special event! TBS Director Shao-Chien Hu noted that this year’s concert will revive classic Taiwanese Hokkien pop songs spanning the 1930s to the 1980s, paying tribute to five iconic masters: Yu-Hsien Teng, San-Lang Yang, Hsia Wen, Ang It-Hong, and Chen-Nan Tsai. These timeless tracks will be reinterpreted by five acclaimed artists, Anna Wang, Ming-Te Li, Roger Wang, Kuljelje, and Mei Lin. Featuring 20 beloved hits such as “Red in All Four Seasons,” “Rainy Night Flower,” “Wish You Come Back Soon,” “The One I Yearn For,” “Daydream,” and “Falling Flowers.” The music of every generation represents an epitome of Taiwanese Hokkien music’s rich evolution and enduring historical memory. Hosted by popular radio personality Ho Chin and renowned singer Ming-Te Li, the event promises to be an immersive summer celebration of classic Taiwanese Hokkien music. The “Love in Taipei: Summer Concert” will take place on July 18 from 15:00 to 17:00. Free tickets will be available starting July 10 at 10:00, both at Taipei Zhongshan Hall and online through KKTIX. The public can claim physical tickets at “Taipei Zhongshan Hall” or secure electronic tickets through the “KKTIX online platform”. This performance features reserved seating. Each person is limited to two tickets. Tickets are available while supplies last. The concert will also be livestreamed on the radio station’s YouTube channel, allowing those unable to attend to enjoy the performance online in real time. For more information on the event, please visit the “Taipei Broadcasting Station” official website and Facebook fan page (https://www.radio.gov.taipei/).<img src="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/464/relpic/31011/9674381/39aadf51-f2cb-4ad0-8de8-d41353d938f0.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Taipei Broadcasting Station’s “Love in Taipei: Summer Concert” - Revisiting a Century of Classic Taiwanese Hokkien Pop Music">TBS’s 2026 “Love in Taipei: Summer Concert” - Free Tickets Available Starting July 102026-07-15T18:07:00[][][{"title":"臺北廣播電臺2026「戀戀臺北夏日演唱會」 710起開放免費索票","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/464/relpic/31011/9674381/39aadf51-f2cb-4ad0-8de8-d41353d938f0.jpg"}][]Taipei Broadcasting Station96739450https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=02E63E490DA4F2B0Reaching across the Sea to Light up Indigenous Communities in the Philippines: Taipei Youth Volunteers Made Historic First Visit to Sister CityTaipei’s youth have brought warmth and hope to indigenous communities in the Philippines! The first overseas volunteer delegation of 2026 to the Philippines, organized under the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government’s Overseas Volunteer Program, returned to Taiwan in late June after completing a 12-day service mission. Comprising ten enthusiastic and skilled youth volunteers, the delegation focused on educational support, cultural exchange, health education, artistic creation, and digital literacy in the Aeta community of Floridablanca, Pampanga. During the visit, members of the delegation also traveled for the first time to Quezon City, one of Taipei’s sister cities, for cultural exchange activities, demonstrating how volunteer service can strengthen the friendship between the two cities. According to the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, the Overseas Volunteer Program aims to encourage young people to step outside their comfort zones, explore different aspects of the world through international volunteer service, and discover their own value while addressing local needs. This year marked Taipei’s second youth volunteer mission in Floridablanca, Pampanga. In addition to continuing its partnership with Camachile Elementary School, the program added Nabuclod Integrated School to its partner list. Lillian Chen, the head of the delegation and Subdivision Chief of the Global Engagement Division under the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, also met with Vice Mayor Allan Policarpio to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. Through volunteer service with the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government strives to build friendships with other cities while enabling volunteers to profoundly experience the transformative power of education and service, demonstrating an alternative form of international diplomacy for Taipei. Apart from classroom activities, the volunteers worked alongside local schools to create a more welcoming learning environment. By integrating the English alphabet, numbers, and everyday vocabulary into campus murals and desk designs, they transformed ordinary school corners into colorful, engaging spaces for learning English. These efforts aim to inspire students to boldly explore a broader world throughout their educational journey. Following the delegation to the Philippines, other volunteer delegations will travel to Thailand and Vietnam in late July and mid-August, ensuring that Taipei’s youth continue to connect with the world through the power of service. This year’s delegation also made its first visit to Quezon City, Taipei’s sister city in the Philippines, where volunteers engaged in exchanges with students from Miriam College and members of the Pook Libis community. As the visit coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival, the youth volunteers from Taipei introduced the cultural significance of dragon boat racing and showed Filipino youths how to make traditional scented sachets. In return, their Filipino partners organized traditional games, providing opportunities for youth from both sides to learn about each other’s cultures and daily lives amid laughter. Later, the volunteers and local youth visited the Pook Libis community together, where community leaders presented local development initiatives. The volunteers then designed digital literacy courses for children in the community to help them build foundational concepts of safe Internet use. Through these volunteer services, the youth gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and needs faced by different social groups. Casper, the leader of the delegation to the Philippines, noted that the children maintained their innocence and enthusiasm despite living with limited resources. They would cheer for a heavy rain or smile brightly because of a single balloon, reminding the volunteers of the profound strength found in simplicity and sincerity. He added that the volunteer experience allowed him to witness the children’s pure vitality and resilience, prompting him to rethink the meaning of happiness and companionship. He deeply appreciated the opportunity to participate in the Overseas Volunteer Program, which broadened his perspective on the world. Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou of the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, expressed her gratitude to the Department of Education, Schools Division Office of Pampanga, Camachile Elementary School, Nabuclod Integrated School, Miriam College, Aguman Kapampangan, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, and other partners for their immense support. Their partnership enabled Taipei’s youth to engage with local communities, respond to their needs through meaningful action, and build invaluable international friendships during these exchanges. The Overseas Volunteer Program represents a journey of growth through which young people discover the world, better understand themselves, and put civic engagement into practice. Moving forward, the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government will continue to help more young people take their first steps into international volunteer service by providing comprehensive training, resources, and global cooperation networks. Through these efforts, the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government hopes to ensure that every act of kindness transcends borders while showing the world how Taipei’s youth turn compassion into action and drive change through service.2026-07-15T10:20:00[][][{"title":"Figure 1: Volunteers painted the English alphabet on tables in the small garden of Camachile Elementary School, seamlessly integrating English learning into the students’ daily lives.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9673945/4c348c3b-da03-4309-8f85-aa5eced1bd66.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 3: Volunteers participated in a cultural exchange with students from Miriam College and leaders of the Pook Libis community. Through traditional Taiwanese cultural activities and youth dialogue, participants strengthened mutual understanding between Taiwanese and Filipino youth.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9673945/80bfe5b1-5e0b-464c-b5bd-22ad101d59f9.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 5: Representatives from the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, met with Vice Mayor Allan Policarpio of Floridablanca, Pampanga, to exchange views regarding youth engagement and educational development, further strengthening local partnerships between Taipei and the Philippines.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9673945/3c20ae7f-ac87-4775-9e85-31cda37928be.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 2: Delegation leader Casper organized a hand-crafted sky lantern workshop for local Aeta children. The children’s bright smiles and enthusiastic responses highlighted the power of education and companionship.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9673945/caca6553-775c-48ce-be90-1dd12fefb15f.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 4: Volunteers conducted a digital literacy course for children and youth in the Pook Libis community, helping them develop critical thinking and fact-checking skills to navigate digital information.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9673945/fb3239e3-e6eb-4edb-8977-b81396073b70.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 6: Overseas volunteers and representatives from the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government visited the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines to share the achievements of their service mission.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9673945/74a01e35-a6ed-4837-a4e4-895928b616ca.jpg"}][]Department for Youth, Taipei City Government96739320https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=959E7F9F755316EFThe 844th meeting of Taipei Urban Planning Commission will be held on JUL. 23, 2026.Event: The 844th meeting of Taipei Urban Planning Commission Time: 14:00-17:30 Date: Jul. 23, 2026 Venue: Meeting room 206, 2F , North Wing, Taipei City Hall2026-07-15T10:09:00[][][][]Taipei Urban Planning Commission96732500https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=8374FA3D8BAA1F71Overview of Taipei City Factory RegistrationAs of Jun. 2026, the number of legally registered factories in the City was 868 wherein 123 are manufacturers of computers, electronic and optical products; 113 are manufacturers of fabricated metal products; 114 are manufacturers of food products; 65 are printing and reproduction factories of recorded media; 70 are manufacturers of machinery and equipment; 55 are manufacturers of electrical equipment; and 53 are manufacturers of electronic parts and components; totaling 593 factories, and accounting for 68.31% of the total number of factories in the City. They are the major categories of the City’s existing factories. Distribution by administrative region: Neihu District tops the rank with 385 factories, followed by Nangang District with 221 factories, together making up 69.81％ of the total. Source: Industry and Business Division of the Department of Economic Development, Taipei City Government2026-07-14T10:48:00[][][][]Department of Economic Development ,Taipei City Government96779050https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=0031D9D681053FC2Creating Taipei's New Gateway ! The Investment Promotion Seminar for the " ROT Project for Free-of-Charge Space provided by Superficies at the Former Taipei City Council Site " Concludes with Great Success!On the afternoon of Monday, July 13th, 2026, the Department of Finance of the Taipei City Government hosted the Investment Promotion Seminar for the " ROT Project for Free-of-Charge Space provided by Superficies at the Former Taipei City Council Site ". Aimed at providing investment information and fostering dialogue with potential investors, the event attracted enthusiastic participation from diverse industry representatives, including exhibition, cultural arts, tourism/leisure, and real estate development sectors. The seminar concluded with highly productive exchanges and a resounding success.　　Hu Hsiao-lan, Commissioner of the Department of Finance, stated that the core objective of this project is to leverage public-private partnerships (PPP) to attract the innovative thinking and operational highlights of professional private management teams. This seminar focused on outlining key terms and conditions of the tender documents. Through dialogue with the market participants, the Department of Finance gathered extensive feedback from potential investors. These valuable insights will serve as a crucial reference for drafting the official tender documents, thereby enhancing the project’s feasibility and investment attractiveness. Together, the public and private sectors will revitalize the city government's designated space, creating a new urban landmark that blends deep historical-cultural heritage with innovative vitality.　　The Department of Finance stated that the project site (floors 1 to 8, with a total floor area of approximately 7,679 square meters) boasts a premier location adjacent to Taipei Main Station. The project is being promoted under the ROT (Rehab-Operate-Transfer) model of the Act for Promotion of Private Participation in Infrastructure Projects . By introducing private resources and professional management capabilities, the project aims to integrate diverse functions such as cultural exhibitions, tourism services, smart technology, and innovative experiences. This will not only shape Taipei’s historical memory, future vision, and cultural identity, but also further elevate the city's cultural tourism competitiveness and international visibility.　The Department of Finance announced that the project is scheduled for an official tender announcement in the fourth quarter of 2026. Enterprises with outstanding operational track records are cordially invited to actively bid and participate. Together, we can build a new paradigm for Taipei's urban development and unlock new opportunities for the cultural and tourism industries.2026-07-13T10:48:00[][][][]Department of Finance, Taipei City Government96715990https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=20DB65966352A198Free Rabies Vaccination Tour for Pets in Taipei City's Mountain Communities Begins June 18Free Rabies Vaccination Tour for Pets in Taipei City's Mountain Communities Begins June 18The Taipei City Animal Protection Office launched its annual Free Rabies Vaccination Tour for Pets on June 18. Runing through September 4, the program includes 44 vaccination events across Taipei’s mountain communities. Up to 100 free rabies vaccinations are available at each event, and pet owners are encouraged to take advantage of this service to keep their pets protected against rabies.According to the Animal Protection Office, seven districts of Taipei City, Xinyi, Wenshan, Neihu, Nangang, Shilin, Beitou, and Da’an, are located adjacent to mountain areas. This year, the office will once again partner with local neighborhood offices to bring free rabies vaccination services directly to community residents.Dogs and cats aged three months and older are eligible to receive vaccinations at the tour events. Pet registration services are also available on site. Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease that can infect all mammals. The virus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected saliva, usually through bites or open wounds. Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal. Annual rabies vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent the disease.The Animal Protection Office will send text-message reminders to pet owners when their pets are due for the annual rabies vaccination. Under Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Disease, owners who fail to have their dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies every year may face fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000.The Animal Protection Office added that recent rabies cases in Taiwan have mainly been found in wildlife, particularly ferret-badgers and masked palm civets. Since pets may come into contact with wild animals during outdoor activities, the public is urged to follow the rabies prevention principle of “Two Don'ts and One Do”:Do not touch wild animals. Do not abandon pets. Do take your dogs and cats for the annual rabies vaccination. By following these simple precautions, pet owners can help protect both animal and public health. For more information about rabies prevention and a schedule of free vaccination sessions, please visit TCAPO’s dedicated rabies prevention webpage at:2026-07-09T09:04:00[][{"title":"link","url":"https://reurl.cc/EY8rMa"}][][]Taipei City Animal Protection Office96697560https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=1AA5A5D4242B8376Department for Youth, Taipei City Invited Back to Tokyo Global Forum on Children to Share Youth Empowerment AchievementsThe Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, led by Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou, visited Tokyo, Japan in February of 2026 and was invited to participate again in the Second Tokyo Global Forum on Children, hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Together with representatives from cities across 20 countries, the delegation exchanged views on how cities can support youth development and establish diverse, sustainable empowerment mechanisms for young people. In addition to attending the forum, the delegation visited Waseda University to finalize this year’s agreement for the International Student Internship Program. Furthermore, the delegation traveled to Yokohama to view works by artist Luise Ono commissioned under Department for Youth, Taipei City Government in the 2025 International Young Artist Residency Program. The visit highlights the department’s achievements in youth policy, international cooperation, and cultural exchange. The theme of this year’s forum was “Initiatives that support adolescents,” bringing together representatives from 20 cities and countries across Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region, including Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, London, New York, Singapore, Vienna, and Toronto. The discussions focused on practical experiences from different cities in responding to the challenges of youth development, particularly in areas such as understanding mental health, building a sense of belonging, and providing opportunities for real-world experiences and career exploration. The forum also served as a platform to help open policy dialogue and strengthen cooperation among cities. At the forum, Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou of Department for Youth, Taipei City Government delivered a speech titled “Lighting Up the Future: Taipei’s Career Pathway for Adolescents” in which she introduced Taipei’s long-term career development framework. She outlined how the city introduces career exploration and industry exposure at elementary and junior high school levels. In senior high schools, students are provided with one-stop career guidance and internship opportunities. Through the connected pathway, young people can gradually transform their interests into future careers. She also shared a case from the Youth Fashion Design Competition, where a girl who initially saw drawing and design as a personal interest was able, through structured training and professional mentorship, to turn her hobby into tangible creative work. She ultimately went on to receive recognition for her achievements. Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou noted that Taipei City values not only outcomes, but also the city’s ability, at every key stage, to ensure that young people have opportunities to be understood, supported, and seen. During the meeting, Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou also discussed issues with representatives from different countries, including Tokyo’s concerns over rising youth loneliness and academic pressure, Vienna’s challenges in allocating resources for mental health prevention, and Copenhagen’s focus on cyberbullying. Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou exchanged views on how cities can provide support within both education systems and out-of-school environments. She also introduced Taipei’s Youth Overseas Internship Program, explaining that the city collaborates with multiple international partners to offer young people cross-border practical experiences. These opportunities allow students to explore their interests in diverse workplace settings, build competencies, and broaden their global perspectives. She expressed hope that future exchanges with participating cities can be further deepened, leading to more sustained and concrete forms of cooperation. During the visit to Japan, the delegation also returned to Waseda University to build upon the existing cooperation in youth internships and talent exchange. The two sides reviewed the achievements of the two Waseda University interns who completed placements at Department for Youth, Taipei City Government last year, highlighting their learning experiences and practical contributions. Additionally, the delegation and Waseda University signed an agreement to continue collaboration under this year’s International Student Internship Program. Furthermore, the delegation traveled to Yokohama to reconnect with artist Luise Ono, who participated in the International Young Artist Residency Program in 2025. During the visit, members toured the artist’s latest work, a collaborative art project created with students at Yokohama Seya Elementary School, to promote the 2027 GREEN×EXPO in Yokohama. Through ongoing exchanges and dialogue, Taipei City continues to deepen partnerships with international counterparts across youth education, internship, and cross-cultural artistic collaboration. These efforts aim to transform youth exchange from a series of standalone initiatives into enduring networks that span years and cities, creating more opportunities for young people to engage with the world while also bringing the world closer to Taipei. According to Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, this visit to Tokyo not only strengthened policy dialogue with cities worldwide on issues related to youth development, but also further advanced meaningful cooperation in areas including youth internships and cultural and artistic exchange. Moving forward, Taipei City will continue to use itself as a platform for international collaboration, expanding upon existing initiatives and strengthening partnerships with overseas counterparts. By doing so, the city aims to create more opportunities for young people to actively engage, gain practical experience, and broaden their global perspectives.2026-07-06T10:06:00[][][{"title":"Figure 2: Department for Youth, Taipei City Government visited Waseda University for an exchange of recent ongoing projects and signed the agreement for this year’s International Student Internship Program.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9669756/935176a1-cd9f-495a-9dba-b293deda5ebc.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 1: Department for Youth, Taipei City Government attends the Second Tokyo Global Forum on Children hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and poses for a group photo with city representatives from 20 countries.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9669756/0e76d0ac-2fc7-4a99-a9c6-c5b439c77a2a.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 3: The delegation visited Yokohama and reunited with artist Luise Ono, a participant of the 2025 International Young Artist Residency Program, and toured her latest collaborative artwork created with students at Yokohama Seya Elementary School.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/856/relpic/31011/9669756/2d10693f-7313-4dd0-80d3-b8451ac606a9.jpg"}][]Department for Youth, Taipei City Government96656530https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=4DC61DC89080D92EFire Department Teams Up with Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation to Promote Disaster Preparedness Education. Summer-Exclusive Disaster Mission Launches, Creating a New Learning Experience in Disaster Preparedness for Children This summer vacation is not just about air-conditioned rooms, tablets, and mobile games. Taipei City Fire Department is ready to take kids on a highly immersive disaster prevention adventure! The "Taipei City 2026 Summer Fire and MRT Disaster Prevention Experience Camp" is scheduled to grandly open on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at the MRT Beitou Resort. Fire department's popular mascot "Rescue Vanguard" will team up with "JAMIE," the mascot of the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation, to lead the children in unboxing an "emergency evacuation bag," officially kicking off this summer-exclusive disaster prevention mission. Fire department is specially organizing the Fire and MRT Disaster Prevention Experience Camp during the summer vacation. The event runs from July 6 to 22, 2026, and will be held in batches from Monday to Wednesday each week, targeting students in the first to fourth grades of elementary school. The activities are not just about listening to lectures, but also about hands-on practice and personally stepping into simulated scenarios. From fire prevention and earthquake preparedness to evacuation and escape, children will learn important disaster prevention knowledge and emergency response skills while having fun. "You can ride the MRT, but have you ever thought about how to escape from it?" This is the biggest highlight of this event. Fire Department teams up with the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation for the first time to launch the course—"Actually stepping into the MRT to learn how to escape!" In the highly realistic "MRT Escape Experience" course, children walks onto MRT platforms, into train carriages, and through simulated train tunnels to challenge various emergency response tasks.Through scenarios such as simulated train malfunctions and emergency evacuations, they learn to make calm judgments, protect themselves, and assist those in need around them during unexpected incidents. During the opening ceremony of this event, the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation's mascot "JAMIE" is specially invited to make a guest appearance, unboxing the emergency evacuation bag with the children. Through relaxed and fun interactions, children learn what items should be prepared in the evacuation bag, where it should be kept normally, and why it needs to be updated regularly, unlocking the first lesson of the camp's disaster prevention learning. Fire department stated that disaster prevention education should not be limited to textbook knowledge, but should be reinforced through immersive experiences and hands-on practice to enhance learning outcomes. Through this disaster preparedness camp, Fire department hopes to help children develop correct disaster prevention concepts, strengthen their awareness and emergency response capabilities, and encourage them to share what they have learned with their families, schools, and communities, thereby promoting a stronger culture of disaster preparedness throughout society. Fire department will continue to collaborate with partners from various sectors to advance disaster prevention education and adopt diverse and innovative learning approaches to cultivate more disaster preparedness ambassadors, working together to build a safer, more resilient, and sustainable Taipei.2026-07-05T08:00:00[][][][]Taipei City Fire Department96673450https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=ED83A079B449CAE5Summer Splash and Safety: Building a More Resilient Community Through Disaster PreparednessTo enhance public awareness of disaster preparedness and strengthen community emergency response capabilities, the Fourth Emergency and Rescue Corps of the Taipei City Fire Department partnered with Jiangong Village’s Water Splashing Festival to host the Datong District Community Disaster Prevention Carnival. Through interactive activities and challenge stations, residents and families learned about fire safety, disaster preparedness, and emergency response while embracing the concept of prevention before disaster strikes. According to the Fire Department, this year’s event, themed “Splash into Summer, Challenge Your Disaster Preparedness Skills,” combined the fun and refreshing atmosphere of the Water Splashing Festival with disaster prevention education. By integrating learning with entertainment, the event encouraged residents to make disaster preparedness a part of everyday life while strengthening community resilience. The event featured a variety of hands-on activities, including CPR and AED training, residential fire and electrical safety education, fire alarm promotion, gas safety demonstrations, water safety awareness, fire extinguishing exercises, and earthquake evacuation simulations. Participants gained practical disaster prevention knowledge and emergency response skills through interactive experiences. The Fire Department noted that Datong District is one of Taipei’s oldest urban areas, with many aging residences, historic buildings, and cultural heritage sites. Older electrical equipment and wiring may increase fire risks if not properly maintained. In addition, densely built neighborhoods can allow fires to spread rapidly, threatening both public safety and valuable cultural assets. Therefore, fire prevention and community preparedness remain especially important in the district. According to the Fire Department’s 2025 fire statistics, electrical factors remain the leading cause of fires. Residents are reminded to follow the “Five Don’ts and One Must” principle when using electrical appliances and extension cords: do not overload circuits, do not bundle cords together, do not leave unused appliances plugged in, do not use damaged plugs, do not place combustible materials near appliances, and must ensure products have safety certification marks. The Fire Department emphasized that disaster preparedness requires cooperation between government agencies and local communities. Moving forward, it will continue to promote disaster prevention education through community partnerships and local events, helping build a safer, more livable, and resilient city.2026-07-05T08:00:00[][][][]Taipei City Fire Department96693070https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=CEDED834A5EB205DEight Riverside Graffiti Walls Reopen Across TaipeiThe Taipei City Hydraulic Engineering Office (HEO) announced that the eight designated graffiti walls located within Taipei's riverside parks have recently been repainted and restored to blank canvases. The walls are now officially open for public use, inviting creative residents to express themselves through graffiti and transform the riverside parks into vibrant spaces for urban art.Taipei currently offers eight designated riverside graffiti mural art zones. The largest is the Chengmei Left Bank Riverside Park Graffiti Zone in Nangang District, covering 2,120 square meters. The second largest is the Guanshan Riverside Park Graffiti Zone in Songshan District, with an area of 1,450 square meters. Additional graffiti zones are located in Meiti, Fuhe, Jingmei, Chengmei Right Bank, Longshan, and Yingfeng Riverside Parks. These walls regularly feature impressive works by local artists and have gradually evolved into distinctive urban art spaces.To maintain a dynamic visual landscape and keep the embankment walls looking fresh, HEO repaints the graffiti walls white every four months before reopening them for new creations. As a result, artwork may remain on display for up to four months. However, any content containing obscene language, inappropriate imagery, or political slogans and messages will be removed immediately. Through this regular maintenance program, HEO hopes to foster a more welcoming public art environment where residents can unleash their creativity and tell their own stories through art.HEO also reminds the public that graffiti is permitted only within the eight officially designated riverside graffiti zones. Graffiti in any other area of the riverside parks is prohibited and constitutes a violation of regulations. Under Article 11, Subparagraph 10 of the Taipei City Park Management Ordinance, unauthorized writing, painting, flag placement, hanging, or posting of materials on park facilities is prohibited. In addition to requiring offenders to remove the graffiti, penalties ranging from NT$1,200 to NT$6,000 may be imposed pursuant to Article 16 of the same ordinance.Unauthorized graffiti negatively affects the city's appearance. Members of the public who observe illegal graffiti are encouraged to report it through the Taipei Citizen Hotline 1999.Information on Taipei's eight designated riverside graffiti zones is available at: https://heo.gov.taipei/cp.aspx?n=F0C117C22579454F2026-07-03T14:57:00[][][{"title":"Taipei's eight Riverside Graffiti Zones are open again! Get ready to put your creativity back on display.JPG","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/355/relpic/31011/9669307/c8235d01-43da-430c-bbaa-cd1284d90225.jpg"},{"title":"Head to the riverside, turn your inspiration into art, and add more color and stories to the city","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/355/relpic/31011/9669307/4c00d2b8-7151-47a2-a819-ecfb6622246d.jpg"}][]Hydraulic Engineering Office96703550https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=7AEE38047EDBC19EModerate Typhoon Bavi continues to intensify. Please enhance ty-phoon preparedness measures.According to the latest information from the Central Weather Administration (CWA), Typhoon Bavi, the ninth named storm of this year, strengthened into a moderate typhoon early this morning (July 3). As current sea surface temperatures and atmospheric conditions remain favorable for further development, the storm may continue to intensify and could potentially reach strong typhoon status. The Taipei City Fire Department urges all residents to remain vigilant and complete all necessary typhoon preparedness measures before severe weather arrives to help safeguard lives and property. The Fire Department encourages residents to make full use of this weekend to prepare for the approaching typhoon. Secure or bring indoors loose objects such as potted plants, signs, and other items on balconies. Clear drainage outlets on balconies, rooftops, and nearby gutters to prevent flooding caused by blocked drains. Residents living in low-lying areas are advised to prepare sandbags in advance and ensure that flood barriers or flood gates are functioning properly. Emergency go-bags should include at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and drinking water, and residents should also check that flashlights, portable power banks, and other emergency lighting and communication devices are fully operational in case of power outages. The Fire Department encourages residents to make full use of this weekend to prepare for the approaching typhoon. Secure or bring indoors loose objects such as potted plants, signs, and other items on balconies. Clear drainage outlets on balconies, rooftops, and nearby gutters to prevent flooding caused by blocked drains. Residents living in low-lying areas are advised to prepare sandbags in advance and ensure that flood barriers or flood gates are functioning properly. Emergency go-bags should include at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and drinking water, and residents should also check that flashlights, portable power banks, and other emergency lighting and communication devices are fully operational in case of power outages. Finally, the Taipei City Fire Department strongly advises residents to stay indoors as the typhoon approaches and passes whenever possible. Please avoid traveling to mountainous or coastal areas and refrain from activities such as wave watching, fishing, or other outdoor recreation, as these may pose a serious risk of injury or becoming stranded during severe weather.2026-07-03T09:24:00[][][][]Taipei City Fire Department96684010https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=876CFDC3FFCFAFA9Don’t Chase! Your “Kindness” Could Be Fatal: Young Muntjacs Wander into Taipei CityDon’t Chase! Your “Kindness” Could Be Fatal: Young Muntjacs Wander into Taipei City Taipei’s lush, low-elevation mountains mean wildlife sightings are pretty common, but recently, some unexpectedly cute visitors have been wandering into the urban jungle. This past May, the Taipei City Animal Protection Office (TCPAO) successfully rescued two Formosan Muntjac fawns—both under four months old—after they strayed into residential neighborhoods. While these "barking deer" look incredibly cute, experts warn they are also notoriously fragile. High levels of stress can cause them to go into shock or even die. Fortunately, thanks to quick reporting from local residents, both fawns were safely secured and are now thriving under professional care while they prepare to return to the wild. So far this year, the TCPAO has already responded to 24 Muntjac rescue calls, with most sightings concentrated in the Shilin and Neihu districts—areas packed with shrubs and ferns these animals love to snack on. However, rescuing them is a race against time. Nearly 30% of the Muntjacs reported this year didn't make it, essentially "scared to death" before rescuers could even reach them. Officials are stressing a major warning to the public: if you spot a Muntjac, do not chase, corner, or try to catch it yourself. Doing so triggers extreme panic, which can lead to sudden heart failure.For a rescue to be successful, these highly sensitive animals need to be kept in a quiet, dark, and well-ventilated space. Officials strictly advise against binding or tying them up, as the physical restraint causes fatal stress. If you spot an injured or trapped muntjac, keep your distance and immediately call the 24-hour 1959 Animal Protection Hotline. Residents can also use the Taipei City Government LINE@ official account to upload photos or videos, allowing rescue teams to quickly identify the species and assess the situation before heading out.<img src="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/412/relpic/31011/9668401/816cb7e5-b236-4f10-a12b-6d9678d9933c.jpg" data-id="2504053" data-type="image" data-name="/001/Upload/412/relpic/31011/9668401/816cb7e5-b236-4f10-a12b-6d9678d9933c.jpg" alt="/001/Upload/412/relpic/31011/9668401/816cb7e5-b236-4f10-a12b-6d9678d9933c.jpg" data-tag="w1" data-url="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/412/relpic/31011/9668401/816cb7e5-b236-4f10-a12b-6d9678d9933c.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> Figure 1: TCPAO rescuers ensure plenty of space and water when saving a vulnerable Muntjac fawn. <img src="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/412/relpic/31011/9668401/5cf33574-7dd5-42ad-843a-b59b6d90b24d.jpg" data-id="2504054" data-type="image" data-name="/001/Upload/412/relpic/31011/9668401/5cf33574-7dd5-42ad-843a-b59b6d90b24d.jpg" alt="/001/Upload/412/relpic/31011/9668401/5cf33574-7dd5-42ad-843a-b59b6d90b24d.jpg" data-tag="w1" data-url="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/412/relpic/31011/9668401/5cf33574-7dd5-42ad-843a-b59b6d90b24d.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> Figure 2: A Muntjac wanders into a residential backyard, triggering a call to the TCPAO. 2026-07-02T13:34:00[{"title":"奉核檔","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/412/relfile/31011/9668401/3456b1c9-1e23-4955-a685-932db329c5af.pdf"}][][{"title":"IMG_3222_26052812052191442","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/412/relpic/31011/9668401/5cf33574-7dd5-42ad-843a-b59b6d90b24d.jpg"},{"title":"TC_06364","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/412/relpic/31011/9668401/816cb7e5-b236-4f10-a12b-6d9678d9933c.jpg"}][]Taipei City Animal Protection Office96769290https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=F04328E08C5745F8New Announcement from the Taipei City Government—Smoking Prohibition in Designated Areas Effective July 15, 2026The Department of Health, Taipei City Government, in its commitment to safeguarding citizens' health and fostering a smoke-free outdoor environment, hereby designates the sidewalk in front of the main entrance of the China Medical University Hospital Taipei Branch as a non-smoking area, effective July 15, 2026, in accordance with Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 4 of Article 19 of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act.    Violators will be subject to a fine ranging from NTD 2,000 to NTD 10,000, as stipulated in Paragraph 2 of Article 40 of the aforementioned Act.2026-07-01T16:33:00[][][][]Department of Health, Taipei City Government96674740https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=EDD51322264E310ARecognition of excellent civil servants and maintenance workers in the Taipei City GovernmentTo recognize the contributions that civil servants in the Taipei City Government make to the country and society, enhance administrative efficiency, and promote outstanding young civil servants under the age of 45, recommendations and selections are made in accordance with the “Civil Servant Incentive Measures” and the “Taipei City Government Commendation Guidelines for Outstanding Young Civil Servants”. In 2026, 61 exemplary civil servants and 16 outstanding young civil servants were selected. In addition, 30 outstanding members of staff were selected in accordance with the “Taipei City Government Commendation Guidelines for Outstanding Maintenance Worker” in recognition of their dedicated service. The selected civil servants and members of maintenance workers were publicly honored by Mayor Chiang Wan-an with awards, bonuses and gift vouchers ranging from NT$15,000 to NT$50,000. In presenting these awards, the Taipei City Government hopes to improve morale and encourage others to learn from such positive examples.2026-07-01T10:14:00[][][][]Department of Personnel, Taipei City Government96663000https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=4BA4EAF71B118910Taipei City Holds Clean Government Committee Meeting to Implement Whistleblower Protection and Enhance Public Works InspectionsOn the afternoon of the 25th, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an chaired the 42nd Clean Government Committee Meeting, which also served as the 1st Anti-Corruption Briefing of 2026. Committee members were invited to review the implementation measures of the Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act and the city government's public works construction inspection mechanisms, in order to propose further improvements.During the meeting, the Department of Government Ethics reported on its response measures and promotional efforts regarding the implementation of the Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act. They also outlined plans to establish cross-agency communication channels within the city government. Mayor Chiang emphasized that the key to success lies in building whistleblowers' absolute trust in the agencies handling their reports, alongside the continuous enforcement of robust protection measures.Furthermore, to ensure the quality and safety of the city's public works, the Public Works Department presented a performance report of the city's Construction Inspection Task Force over the past three years, detailing upcoming improvement strategies. Mayor Chiang directed that since construction quality directly impacts the safety of citizens' lives and property, all agencies must effectively rectify any shortcomings identified during inspections and actively strengthen their project management capabilities.The attending committee members focused their discussions on strengthening the whistleblower protection network and enhancing the practical effectiveness of construction inspections. They also highly praised the city government's ongoing efforts in promoting clean governance and safeguarding construction quality.Finally, Mayor Chiang thanked the members for taking the time to attend and provide valuable feedback. He noted that regularly holding these committee meetings harnesses the power of external oversight, deeply embedding the core values of integrity and transparency into every major infrastructure project and administrative action, ultimately achieving the goal of clean urban governance.2026-06-25T14:22:00[][][{"title":"8d6c9d00-afbd-4336-9c63-7ccf7a6b84bb","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/378/relpic/31011/9666300/b9998984-6eec-4636-91c5-cabed0549174.jpg"},{"title":"892707ca-867d-43de-89e9-9d951c465ea0","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/378/relpic/31011/9666300/ea8940c4-cd37-4397-90e8-42cb744d6f5b.jpg"},{"title":"8ab10603-44a9-42cd-a959-459d92b0c447","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/378/relpic/31011/9666300/66e10874-0384-4cca-a043-aeab3a992b72.jpg"},{"title":"37dc3839-d098-44a7-9684-92130757f0c8 (1)","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/378/relpic/31011/9666300/76848ae9-90be-42dd-a4a0-5097fb1e3fea.jpg"}][]Department of Government Ethics96662810https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=8A47C541E2DCE3DDTaipei City Hosts First-Ever "Police and Ethics: United as One" Cross-Sector Summit Forum to Steer the City Steadily ForwardTo strengthen <span id="isPasted" style='color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, 微軟正黑體; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;'>police officers' professional ethics and promote the concepts of clean governance and legal compliance, the Taipei City Government hosted the "Police and Ethics: Honoring the Legacy" Cross-Sector Summit Forum today (the 24th) at the NCCU Center for Public and Business Administration Education (CPBAE). The event brought together top scholars, experts, and practitioners for an in-depth exchange, with about 300 police and government ethics personnel in attendance. Through cross-sector dialogue and case studies, the forum aims to help officers deepen their professional ethics, maintain integrity, and strictly follow the law—ultimately building a "clean capital" defined by professional trust and clean governance.Mayor Chiang Wan-an attended the event, first expressing his deep respect for the police officers who stand fast at their posts to protect citizens, as well as the government ethics personnel who maintain a clean administrative system. He encouraged the officers, who bear the heavy responsibility of enforcing the law, serving, and protecting the public, to uphold their professionalism and core value of integrity. Mayor Chiang emphasized the need to hold the line on clean conduct and act according to the law even in complex operational environments, achieving a culture of "clean policing and transparent discipline."National Police Agency Director-General Chang Jung-hsing also delivered remarks, stressing that "the police are the embodiment of justice." He hopes this cross-sector exchange will reignite officers' original passion for joining the force, foster deep self-discipline, and shape an outstanding, clean, and professional image for the police. Meanwhile, Deputy Director-General Lin Chao-hung of the Agency Against Corruption pointed out that the police are a vital foundation for social stability and prosperity, making clean governance within police departments absolutely critical. He expressed his hope that this forum, starting from the perspective of corruption prevention, will work hand-in-hand with police agencies to help officers accurately identify potential ethical risks amid complex social environments and various temptations.Co-hosted by the Department of Government Ethics and the Taipei City Police Department, the forum focused on three main topics:(1) Clean Policing: The Guiding Role of Professional Ethics in Complex Environments(2) Law Enforcement Boundaries and Career Protection: Distinguishing Between Illegal Profiteering and Providing Public Convenience(3) Digital Safety Net: The Evolution of Police Information Security and Career Risk PreventionThe event featured keynote presentations from Professor Chou Su-hsien (Graduate School of Criminology, National Taipei University), Division Chief Teng Yuan (Agency Against Corruption, Ministry of Justice), and Associate Professor Wu Szu-chien (Department of Public Policy and Management, Central Police University). Together with several experts, scholars, and city representatives, they used practical cases to guide officers in reflecting on the importance of police ethics and legal compliance. The sessions provided practical guidance to help officers reinforce their ethical thinking and actions of integrity when facing temptations or workplace dilemmas.Wrapping up the event, Commissioner Wu Tsang-fu of the Department of Government Ethics concluded that clean policing is a cornerstone of urban governance. Moving forward, the department will continue to assist the city government team in building a safe, transparent, and trustworthy city. By protecting citizens with professionalism and safeguarding the future with integrity, this unwavering commitment will serve as the driving force propelling Taipei steadily forward.2026-06-24T14:07:00[][][{"title":"23cf2525-6b13-44c5-88b9-c41e4422ee39","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/378/relpic/31011/9666281/e717002d-f3ce-4ae2-a926-06feef583e4d.jpg"},{"title":"a6188870-96d9-4241-9ab6-f72b726d2d73","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/378/relpic/31011/9666281/93810c24-b3a6-4834-909e-d9b7b8543176.jpg"},{"title":"2fba65b6-7bb5-4420-8656-bf4414770810","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/378/relpic/31011/9666281/9694e823-993e-4d85-a724-52f087476133.jpg"},{"title":"5a61a5dc-bd52-4fda-860c-fd538b8bd820","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/378/relpic/31011/9666281/e74bfd39-f2c3-4e7d-8219-7d6dcbe11aa1.jpg"},{"title":"86ab0c48-ff96-49e5-a0c7-d517dfb50378","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/378/relpic/31011/9666281/01de73a7-358c-44c7-8558-a0c17bcdc1a8.jpg"},{"title":"ef426269-7d04-4dfb-a1f1-2aad5e804b27","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/378/relpic/31011/9666281/6588c818-bbac-40cf-8fc1-3cd9b5526723.jpg"}][]Department of Government Ethics96599830https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=E8050C2ACE93266DTaipei New Construction Office’s “Zhongzheng Bridge Reconstruction Project” Recognized with the Chinese Institute of Engineers’ 2026 Engineering Excellence Award“The Zhongzheng Bridge Reconstruction Project and Attached Utility Pipeline Works,” undertaken by the New Construction Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government, received the 2026 “Engineering Excellence Award” from the Chinese Institute of Engineers on June 5, 2026. Following its earlier recognition with an Excellence Award in the 2025 “Lighting Golden Quality Awards,” the project has once again been honored, highlighting the outstanding quality of the New Construction Office’s engineering works and the broad recognition they have received. Zhongzheng Bridge is an important transportation hub spanning the Xindian River and connecting Zhongzheng District in Taipei City with Yonghe District in New Taipei City. However, the bridge had faced problems including aging structures and insufficient seismic resistance. The reconstruction project first demolished the Chongqing South Road Viaduct and the Ziqiang Market beneath it, then renovated the surface section of Chongqing South Road and added new sidewalks, reshaping the surrounding urban landscape, improving the pedestrian environment, and revitalizing local development. The newly rebuilt bridge integrates two major features, namely “engineering aesthetics” and “historical preservation.” The new main bridge adopts a large span steel arch design with no piers placed in the river, using twin arch rib trusses and suspended steel cables to create a graceful curved form. In addition to providing a spacious and comfortable driving environment for traffic traveling between Taipei and New Taipei, it has also become a new landmark along the Xindian River. During construction, the Chongqing South Road Viaduct was demolished in just 87 hours over the Lunar New Year holiday. With overall traffic volumes in Taipei at their lowest during the Spring Festival period, the road closure caused the least possible disruption to the public. A large number of construction personnel gave up their holiday to meet this highly time sensitive challenge. Later, innovative methods such as curved incremental launching and steel arch rib lifting were adopted to reduce high altitude operations, significantly lower labor risks, strengthen worksite safety protections, and provide a more worker friendly construction environment. In addition, part of the old Zhongzheng Bridge was originally the “Kawabata Bridge,” completed in 1937 during the Japanese colonial period, and it has been registered as a historic building. To meet flood control requirements, the original bridge piers were raised and preserved through restoration. The new bridge’s bicycle path now connects to Kawabata Bridge, linking the riverside park corridors of Taipei and New Taipei, while the historic bridge itself has been transformed into a scenic bridge exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists, restoring the beauty of its former appearance. Through the approach ramp along the side of the bridge, the public can directly access the floodplain riverside parks along the waterfront in both Taipei and New Taipei, enjoying a variety of experiences such as walking, cycling, recreation, and exercise. The nighttime lighting of the “Zhongzheng Bridge Reconstruction Project” uses light and shadow as its medium to express the modern structural strength of the “new bridge,” adding another urban landmark to the nightscape of the Xindian River. A smart dimming system is concealed within the 285 meter arch ribs, and 2700K warm white lighting highlights the texture of the steel structure. The suspended steel cables are precisely illuminated from below, so that from a distance they resemble strings vibrating above the water’s surface. In addition, the project strictly controlled lighting angles to effectively prevent light pollution and reduce disturbance to the aquatic ecosystem, putting its commitment to environmental friendliness into practice. 2026-06-22T15:00:00[][][{"title":"Figure 2 The first use in Taiwan of the curved incremental launching construction method","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9659983/fcadbb40-40a2-41d7-a4ce-9374df6baa31.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 4 Rebuilt Zhongzheng Bridge, featuring the large span open steel arch bridge and the Japanese colonial period Kawabata Bridge","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9659983/6039f924-945b-4737-b6c0-1c62e633ebdf.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 6 Nighttime lighting of Zhongzheng Bridge on the Yonghe, New Taipei City","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9659983/aa06237b-bf63-42d8-8779-6ec3f8745cf5.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 1 Award trophy for the Zhongzheng Bridge Reconstruction Project","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9659983/92c1d6a1-afcb-47b4-8c57-4203378fcaa6.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 3 Elevation difference diagram for the assembly of the steel arch rib lifting segments of Zhongzheng Bridge","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9659983/a6ff9d98-b97c-406f-81a8-3dd93105986c.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 5 Nighttime lighting of Zhongzheng Bridge on the Taipei side","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9659983/7b0f3a3b-491e-4b11-8781-389eb905b6dd.jpg"}][]New Construction Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government96629710https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=0A0CC41BAC0E3516Smoke-Free Taipei : Ximending Shopping District.Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas in Ximending Shopping District.2026-06-22T14:24:00[][][{"title":"Map of Smoke-Free Zone & Designated Smoking Areas","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/302/relpic/31011/9662971/38af11c4-b143-4bee-8773-1d0b5260933f.jpg"},{"title":"Smoke-Free Taipei","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/302/relpic/31011/9662971/bedfd91d-0522-42c7-9f2f-698e7d129a0d.jpg"}][]Department of Economic Development ,Taipei City Government96621550https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=6052301CAEF90695The 843th meeting of Taipei Urban Planning Commission will be held on JUN. 25, 2026.Event: The 843th meeting of Taipei Urban Planning Commission Time: 14:00-17:30 Date: Jun. 25, 2026 Venue: Meeting room 206, 2F , North Wing, Taipei City Hall2026-06-18T11:23:00[][][][]Taipei Urban Planning Commission96637270https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=057089E7CC5EB604Another Milestone in Taipei's “Great Urban Renewal Era”: Selection for the “Zhongshan Yiju” Public Urban Renewal Project Successfully CompletedThe public urban renewal project led by the Taipei City Department of Finance, titled the “Public Urban Renewal Project for Lot 712-1 and Three Other Parcels in Subsection 1, Changchun Section, Zhongshan District, Taipei City,” launched a public solicitation for investors on December 31, 2025. The comprehensive evaluation was completed on June 12, 2026, with Sinyi Development Co., Ltd. selected as the preferred applicant. Moving forward, the implementer, the Taipei Housing and Urban Regeneration Center (THURC), will handle negotiations and contract signing. This marks another important achievement for the Taipei City Government in promoting public-private partnerships and revitalizing city-owned land. TCG DOF Commissioner Hu Hsiao-lan stated that the project site is located in a prime area of Zhongshan District, adjacent to Liaoning Park and just a 3-minute walk from Nanjing Fuxing MRT Station, an interchange station for two MRT lines. The site enjoys an excellent location, with vibrant commercial activity nearby while still offering a quiet and high-quality residential environment. The project attracted enthusiastic bids from six companies, demonstrating the private sector’s strong confidence in and support for the Taipei City Government’s implementation of the “Great Urban Renewal Era.” Commissioner Hu further explained that the “Zhongshan Yiju” Public Urban Renewal Project covers an area of 1,063 square meters, with an estimated total sales value exceeding NT$2.4 billion after renewal. In addition, a mechanism to encourage the integration of adjacent land has been incorporated to encourage investors to further integrate surrounding parcels, with the goal of expanding the project into a full-block integrated development of 1,874 square meters. The project aims to create and share benefits together for the implementer, the investor, and private landowners, thereby enhancing investment attraction and improving the urban landscape. The city government plans to introduce public resources into this project, including “Happiness Housing” and a neighborhood community center, to provide housing that supports marriage, family formation, and child-rearing and to enhance community services. In addition, the architectural design is required to comply with the disaster-prevention-oriented detailed plan, comprehensively enhancing the site’s earthquake resistance and disaster resilience while actively fulfilling Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s policy vision of a “Resilient and Livable City.” Based on the overall concept of “Shared Living, Urban Greenery, and All-Age Care,” Sinyi Development Co., Ltd. plans to construct one steel-reinforced concrete (SRC) building with 16 floors above ground and 4 floors underground. The company has committed to obtaining Gold-rated Green Building certification, Gold-rated Smart Building certification, Low-Carbon Building certification, and a Building Energy Efficiency Rating of 1+, creating high-quality residences that coexist in harmony with the environment. Finally, the DOF stated that the Taipei City Government has been actively revitalizing city-owned assets. The government-led public urban renewal projects on large-scale city-owned land spearheaded by the department have produced fruitful results. Currently, among the 15 projects, 7 have been completed, 3 are under construction, and 3 have completed investor selection. The remaining projects are undergoing reviews of urban renewal business plans and rights transformation plans as well as pre-solicitation preparations. The city government is also continuing preliminary urban renewal planning for other potential sites. By the end of this year, another public solicitation for investors for a government-led urban renewal project in a prime location is expected to be launched. The city government welcomes enthusiastic participation from the industry to join hands in creating a future of urban regeneration and livability for Taipei. 2026-06-13T16:12:00[][][][]Department of Finance, Taipei City Government95833020https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=5D13BEF2AFA8D556Wanhua District Heping Village Dragon Boat Festival and Disaster Prevention CarnivalTo enhance home safety in older residential buildings in Wanhua District and strengthen citizens’ disaster preparedness and response capabilities, the 1st District HQs of  Taipei City Fire Department, in collaboration with the Heping Village Office and the Wanhua District Heping Community Development Association, will host the “Heping Village Dragon Boat Festival & Disaster Prevention Carnival.” The event will take place on Saturday, June 13 (Year 115 on the ROC calendar), from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Heping Qingcao No. 402 Park (intersection of Mengjia Avenue and Xiyuan Road, Wanhua District). This event will feature a stamp-collection challenge with prizes and a variety of interactive educational booths covering topics such as home electrical safety, CPR and AED operation experience, residential smoke alarm education, summer water safety awareness, earthquake response knowledge, and a disaster prevention promotional vehicle display. To create a festive Dragon Boat Festival atmosphere, special performances will also be presented by the Heping Senior Rhythmic Dance Group and the Heping Japanese Singing Class, adding excitement and entertainment to the event. Traditional Dragon Boat Festival rice dumplings will also be distributed on-site. Participants who complete the fire safety challenge activities will have opportunities to receive special gifts, allowing both children and adults to enjoy fun while learning valuable safety knowledge. The Fire Department also reminds citizens that according to Article 16 of the Taipei City Fire Prevention Autonomous Ordinance, managers of residential buildings not equipped with automatic fire alarm systems are required by law to install and maintain residential smoke alarms. In addition, townhouses and multi-story residences are encouraged to prioritize the installation of wireless interconnected residential smoke alarms, enabling alarms to be transmitted simultaneously throughout different areas of the home, thereby providing valuable evacuation time in emergencies. Residential smoke alarms can be installed easily in approximately three minutes and significantly improve household safety, making them an essential protective measure for every family. Citizens are sincerely invited to bring family and friends to join this community event during the Dragon Boat Festival season. Through fun and engaging activities, participants can develop correct disaster prevention concepts and strengthen their ability to help themselves, help others, and assist the community in emergencies, working together to build a safer living environment for everyone.2026-06-13T08:00:00[][][][]Taipei City Fire Department95833680https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=91899C3A93193D03Dual Upgrades in Seismic Resilience and Green Building Standards Groundbreaking Held Today for Yong-Fu Home in Taipei to Create a Sustainable Welfare FacilityThe reconstruction project for Yong-Fu Home of the Taipei Municipal Yang-Ming Home for the Disabled was marked by a groundbreaking ceremony on the morning of May 27, 2026, presided over by Lin Shih-bin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Taipei City Government. Together with distinguished guests, those attending offered prayers for a safe and smooth construction phase and for the project to be completed on schedule and to the required quality, creating a safe and sustainable welfare facility with enhanced service capacity. Ming-Shen Kao, Chief of the Public Works Section of the New Construction Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government, stated that the original Yong-Fu Home building had been in use since 1982. It was a residential welfare institution for persons with disabilities with one basement level and six above-ground floors, originally planned to accommodate 172 beds. After a seismic evaluation was completed in 2018, both the chloride ion content and the level of concrete carbonation were found to exceed standards, and structural safety concerns had already emerged, including corroded reinforcing steel, wall cracks, and concrete spalling. Coupled with the continued growth in demand for disability care services in recent years, the city proceeded with the reconstruction of Yong-Fu Home in order to ensure residential safety for service users and improve overall care capacity. The original building was demolished in July 2024. The reconstruction site covers approximately 5,502 square meters and is planned as a modern welfare building with two basement levels and seven above-ground floors. Upon completion, the ground floor will include a lobby, a community activity center, a kitchen, a laundry room, an audiovisual classroom, a sensory classroom, a computer classroom, an examination room, and storage space. Floors two through seven will be planned for bedrooms and living areas, activity rooms, rehabilitation rooms, nursing and administrative office space, and meeting rooms, together with well-equipped common service areas and related mechanical rooms. A healing garden for residents will be planned on the roof. The basement levels will be used for temporary pick-up and drop-off, parking, an air raid shelter, and mechanical rooms, improving overall circulation safety and usage efficiency. Fu Chung-kai, Director of the Shilin Office under the New Construction Office, stated that after reconstruction, Yong-Fu Home’s service capacity will increase to 196 beds. A dual-operator management model will be adopted, and under the principle of shared use of common spaces, the project will gradually promote the community-based development of services, providing persons with disabilities with more comprehensive, diverse, and humane care services. The project also incorporates the site’s topography and reduces its impact on the natural environment. It is planned to obtain a Gold Green Building Label, introduce smart equipment and energy-saving materials, and adopt structural design standards equivalent to those of a medical center for seismic resistance, comprehensively improving building safety, convenience, and comfort while implementing energy-saving and carbon-reduction policies and creating a welfare facility that combines sustainability, intelligence, and safety. Director Fu further explained that the project was officially awarded on January 6, 2026, and is being jointly undertaken by Wan Ding Engineering Service Co., Ltd. and Hao Zhi Engineering Co., Ltd. Construction began in April 2026, with a construction period of 1,430 days, and is expected to be completed by April 2030. Once opened, it is expected to relieve the current overcrowding at the Taipei Municipal Yang-Ming Home for the Disabled, expand service capacity, and achieve the goal of building a safe, sustainable, and smart Yong-Fu Home.2026-06-10T14:02:00[][][{"title":"Figure 2 Completed renderin","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9583368/20455b72-9c40-42be-adde-702a866389a5.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 4 Blessing ceremony","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9583368/71bb0727-c34c-4f89-a23e-5d64d3969914.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 6 Groundbreaking ceremony","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9583368/1776f421-f4d4-49cb-9bd1-cc7308dac93c.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 1. Site location diagram","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9583368/97435339-1456-4ebb-beeb-844430853b4a.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 3. Deputy Secretary-General Lin delivering remarks","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9583368/ddecd907-38ab-4d08-9e17-24936cbe3bed.jpg"},{"title":"Figure 5. Auspicious lion dance performance","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/347/relpic/31011/9583368/799ce26e-7b14-4aa4-8525-c70ec307fecb.jpg"}][]New Construction Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government96601130https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=414AE0D0D165FD0BTaipei Zoo to Close to the Public from June 22 to July 1 for Annual MaintenanceAs summer vacation approaches, Taipei Zoo would like to remind visitors that it will be closed to the public from June 22 to July 1, 2026, for a total of 10 days. Visitors planning a trip to the zoo are advised to avoid this period. Before 2019, Taipei Zoo was closed only one day each year, on Lunar New Year’s Eve. In order to carry out essential maintenance while continuing to serve visitors, the zoo’s indoor exhibition facilities used to take turns closing on different Mondays each month, with closures postponed to the following day if a Monday fell on a national holiday. Under year-round operations, however, major repairs and maintenance work on large facilities and landscapes could only be carried out in separate phases by carefully coordinating time and space. This fragmented approach often increased construction time and costs, while also prolonging the impact on visitors and animals. Since 2019, with public support, the zoo has therefore added a short closure period in late June, before the summer vacation season, when visitor impact is relatively low. This allows large machinery to enter the park more efficiently and enables multiple maintenance projects to be completed at the same time. During this year’s 10-day closure from June 22 to July 1, the zoo will carry out a range of maintenance projects. Planned work includes improvements to animal habitats, such as repairing activity spaces for orangutans in the Tropical Rainforest Area, replacing climbing structures for clouded leopards in the Taiwan Animal Area, pruning vegetation in the lemur habitat in the African Animal Area, trimming the tree canopy in the Pangolin Dome, and updating native species displays in the Amphibian and Reptile House. In addition, various buildings and visitor facilities throughout the park will be cleaned and maintained, including pavilions, exhibition flooring, and visitor walkways, to create a more comfortable environment for future visits. Other projects requiring heavy machinery will also be completed during this period, including typhoon-prevention tree pruning, drainage clearing and dredging, road resurfacing, and inspections of fire safety, air-conditioning, and electrical systems. Animals in key construction areas will be temporarily relocated from spaces undergoing renovation to reduce stress caused by the work. The zoo will also use this period to conduct a series of educational training programs and professional drills, including routine diver training, ticketing staff training, summer snake-encounter response training, and shuttle train accident drills. Through improvements in all these areas, Taipei Zoo hopes to further enhance animal welfare and strengthen service quality. During these 10 days when the zoo is closed to the public, Taipei Zoo will work intensively to complete a wide range of maintenance projects. Through this efficient maintenance plan, the zoo aims to carry out comprehensive environmental inspections and facility upkeep, improve the quality of visitor recreation and viewing experiences, and shorten construction schedules to reduce disturbance to the animals. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Looking forward to welcome everyone back on July 2 for the summer vacation season! 2026-06-10T09:57:00[][][{"title":"Taipei Zoo looks forward to reopening on July 2 and spending the summer vacation season with visitors.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9660113/2d5b950e-3bec-4e9c-81b0-5b73a4a48b8b.jpg"},{"title":"Plant and vegetation maintenance inside the Pangolin Dome is carried out by specialists during the annual closure period.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9660113/fe8c7451-5bbf-4961-a572-2d7928f83feb.jpg"},{"title":"During the closure period, the zoo carries out extensive maintenance work throughout the park. (Photographed in 2025.)","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9660113/7272ac8f-662e-4429-beec-a67c98dd8bed.jpg"},{"title":"During the late-June closure period, the zoo updates selected animal habitats according to management needs and current conditions.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9660113/66a37e09-8140-4794-8bc7-5b35447a1202.jpg"},{"title":"Taipei Zoo will be closed to the public from June 22 to July 1. Visitors planning a trip are advised to avoid this period.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9660113/5b530c7b-4c97-4201-8659-9b5a56329451.jpg"},{"title":"Educational training programs and professional emergency drills are arranged during the zoo’s annual closure period.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9660113/54d4670d-00e3-47c0-a707-b7e659aa1714.jpg"}][]Taipei Zoo96583700https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=5343E47BC1083FB2【3D Theater】Legend of the Enchanted ReefJoin energetic Shorty, intelligent Indigo, and daring sawfish Jake on a colorful coral reef adventure! After a fishing trawler devastates their reef, three fish have no choice but to set out on a quest to find a new home. They hope to find the “Enchanted Reef” — a mythical underwater haven free from humans. As they search the sea for a legendary reef, the friends encounter a variety of intriguing environments, from kelp forests to sunken wrecks — and even outer space! Their unforgettable journey brings them face-to-face with an octopus, dolphins, anglerfish, and other exotic creatures. Throughout their adventure, they must avoid hungry sharks, hazardous pollution, and other dangers, as they seek a reef that may be a myth.Legend of the Enchanted Reef is filled with humor and imagination that the whole family will enjoy. This touching animated fulldome show combines entertainment and education with an important message about the impact of ocean pollution. Screening dates: April 3, 115 to April 2, 116Running time: Approximately 45 minutes <img src="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/440/relpic/31011/9658370/d78a7a2e-c931-4115-adc8-c9f69b27594e.jpg" data-id="2491769" data-type="image" data-name="/001/Upload/440/relpic/31011/9658370/d78a7a2e-c931-4115-adc8-c9f69b27594e.jpg" alt="Legend of the Enchanted Reef" data-tag="w1" data-url="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/440/relpic/31011/9658370/d78a7a2e-c931-4115-adc8-c9f69b27594e.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">2026-06-09T17:03:00[][][{"title":"Legend of the Enchanted Reef1","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/440/relpic/31011/9658370/d78a7a2e-c931-4115-adc8-c9f69b27594e.jpg"},{"title":"Legend of the Enchanted Reef","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/440/relpic/31011/9658370/a846a3b7-5e60-4f98-af64-20e1e11cde95.jpg"}][]Taipei Astronomical Museum96583530https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=DBB8C4532ECA1356【Dome Theater】The Great Solar System AdventureJoin showman extraordinaire "The Great Schiaparelli" as he takes the audience on a death-defying space-time adventure within his wondrous Observatorium.From the sun-scorched surface of Mercury to the icy expanses of Pluto and beyond, prepare to be subjected to the myriad dangers and wonders of our Solar System, on a breathtaking tour that reveals just how precious our home planet really is.Be warned though, the Observatorium isn’t just for show. It will transport the audience right to the heart of some of the deadliest locations in our slice of the heavens. It’s going to take some fancy flying to get everyone back in one piece! Screening Dates: January 1 to December 31, 115Running Time: Approximately 26 minutesBilingual Language: English (headphone) <img src="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/440/relpic/31011/9658353/5bb26412-4ac7-4ca4-9a2c-2d9238a98dfd.jpg" data-id="2491760" data-type="image" data-name="/001/Upload/440/relpic/31011/9658353/5bb26412-4ac7-4ca4-9a2c-2d9238a98dfd.jpg" alt="The Great Solar System Adventure!" data-tag="w1" data-url="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/440/relpic/31011/9658353/5bb26412-4ac7-4ca4-9a2c-2d9238a98dfd.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> 2026-06-09T16:49:00[][][{"title":"The Great Solar System Adventure","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/440/relpic/31011/9658353/29794335-6214-4bdb-9941-9ede717ea4f0.jpg"},{"title":"The Great Solar System Adventure","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/440/relpic/31011/9658353/5bb26412-4ac7-4ca4-9a2c-2d9238a98dfd.jpg"}][]Taipei Astronomical Museum96577410https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=706E530DE53574E8Overview of Taipei City Factory RegistrationAs of May. 2026, the number of legally registered factories in the City was 878 wherein 123 are manufacturers of computers, electronic and optical products; 115 are manufacturers of fabricated metal products; 114 are manufacturers of food products; 67 are printing and reproduction factories of recorded media; 71 are manufacturers of machinery and equipment; 58 are manufacturers of electrical equipment; and 53 are manufacturers of electronic parts and components; totaling 601 factories, and accounting for 68.45% of the total number of factories in the City. They are the major categories of the City’s existing factories. Distribution by administrative region: Neihu District tops the rank with 389 factories, followed by Nangang District with 223 factories, together making up 69.7％ of the total. Source: Industry and Business Division of the Department of Economic Development, Taipei City Government 2026-06-08T15:26:00[][][][]Department of Economic Development ,Taipei City Government95832810https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=70AE90D85FD90B74Home Fire Safety Matters – Stay Safe While Enjoying Water Activities To enhance public awareness of disaster prevention and home safety, the 1st District HQs of Taipei City Fire Department, in collaboration with the Taipei Hakka Culture Foundation, hold the “Taipei Hakka Academy 115-1 Achievement Exhibition and Summer Water Safety & Disaster Prevention Carnival” on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Taipei Hakka Cultural Park (No. 2, Sec. 3, Tingzhou Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City).  The event features a variety of disaster prevention booths covering water safety, earthquake preparedness, fire prevention, and gas safety. Through interactive games and hands-on experiences, participants gain practical disaster-readiness skills and learn how to respond in an emergency. The Fire Department stated that, in addition to water safety during the summer season, the public should also pay attention to earthquake preparedness and household fire, electricity, and gas safety. Taking preventive measures in daily life can help reduce the risk of accidents:  (1) Water Safety: Choose safe water areas with certified lifeguards and avoid dangerous or unauthorized locations. When facing drowning incidents, remember the five rescue steps: Call: Shout for help Call: Call for Help, for example 119, 110 Reach: Extend a long object, such as a bamboo pole or tree branch to the person. Throw: Throw objects that float, such as a ball, rope, or empty plastic bottle. Row: Paddle a boat, surfboard, or other large flotation device to them. (2) Earthquake Preparedness: Prepare an emergency evacuation kit and secure large furniture and electrical appliances in advance. During an earthquake, immediately follow the life-saving actions: “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” (3) Gas Safety: Choose stoves equipped with flame-failure and temperature-sensing safety devices, and regularly inspect gas equipment and pipelines to reduce the risk of fires and explosions.  Citizens are warmly invited to participate with family and friends to learn disaster prevention knowledge and strengthen home safety awareness. Participants who complete designated challenge activities also receive special gifts.2026-06-06T08:00:00[][][][]Taipei City Fire Department95835520https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=2B01F65C496FA7C5The 2026 New York Festivals Radio Awards Have Been Announced Taipei Broadcasting Station Has Received Further International RecognitionTaipei Broadcasting Station has once again received international recognition! The 2026 New York Festivals Radio Awards (NYF Awards) announced its global winners on May 21. Taipei Broadcasting Station’s Wonder in Sizhu, produced and hosted by Mali Liu, stood out among over 150 participating teams from more than 30 countries worldwide. It was the only radio program shortlisted and awarded a “Finalist Certificate” in the “Programming Format: Classical Format” category. The New York Festivals Radio Awards, established in 1957, is one of the world’s five top radio awards and has a history of over 60 years. The works selected for the awards have been considered benchmarks in the global broadcasting and media industry, and this year’s winners represent top-tier global media outlets such as the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and National Public Radio (NPR). The judging panel, composed of 100 international judges from 20 countries, scores the entries, and only a selected few top works passed the initial review to reach the finals. Taipei Broadcasting Station received its first Finalist Certificate at the New York Festivals Radio Awards, recognizing its program. The program’s name and the host’s name have been permanently listed on the official website of the New York Festivals Radio Awards. The program Wonder in Sizhu is one of the few Chinese music programs in the country. Host Mali Liu combines music and storytelling with meticulous arrangement and rhythmic control, leading listeners through diverse musical landscapes and showcasing an innovative interpretation of classical music programs. This year, two episodes, Listening to the Muse II - Song of Pipa Virtuoso and Islands in Between - International Day of Peace Special, were submitted for the competition. Listening to the Muse II - Song of Pipa Virtuoso, themed around Bai Juyi’s Song of the Pipa, delves into Tang dynasty poetry and music. The Islands in Between - International Day of Peace Special introduces the development of traditional Chinese music in Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu. These three frontline islands have transformed into peaceful havens and, in the turbulent global situation of 2026, use music to call for universal peace, highlighting Taipei Broadcasting Station’s continued success in producing high-quality program content. Program host Mali Liu holds a Doctor of Musicology and has been a long-time professor of musicology in the Department of Music. She has also been deeply involved in the broadcasting industry for many years and has won numerous awards. Wonder in Sizhu adopts a curatorial approach, creating a symmetrical auditory framework that serves listeners with both music and knowledge. The program features regularly scheduled mini radio dramas titled Good Night, Music Story House, introductory segments, AI-driven scientific insights, and the English segment Let’s listen to and enjoy, all designed to cultivate listening habits and continuously refine the program’s content. Wonder in Sizhu continues to air every Sunday at 10 PM on Taipei Broadcasting Station’s FM93.1 and AM1134. It is also available on the “T Radio” online radio station (https://tradio.gov.taipei/). More diverse, high-quality programs from Taipei Broadcasting Station are available on-demand through the “T Radio”online radio station.<img src="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/464/relpic/31011/9583552/c8d38c9d-6b2d-447e-b06a-aeac409dae2c.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="劉馬利主持人以《絲竹漫遊》節目，獲頒2026 年紐約廣播電視電影節大獎決賽入圍證書。"> Host Mali Liu’s program, Wonder in Sizhu, was awarded a Finalist Certificate at the 2026 New York Festivals Radio Awards.<img src="https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/464/relpic/31011/9583552/541957cb-710c-401e-96f8-ecb8d9e1925f.png" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="絲竹漫遊節目及主持人名字都將永久登載於紐約廣播電視電影節大獎官網，與 BBC、NPR 等國際頂尖媒體並列，提升臺北廣播電臺國際能見度。"> 2026-06-02T14:31:00[][][{"title":"劉馬利主持人以《絲竹漫遊》節目，獲頒2026 年紐約廣播電視電影節大獎決賽入圍證書。","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/464/relpic/31011/9583552/c8d38c9d-6b2d-447e-b06a-aeac409dae2c.jpg"},{"title":"絲竹漫遊節目及主持人名字都將永久登載於紐約廣播電視電影節大獎官網，與 BBC、NPR 等國際頂尖媒體並列，提升臺北廣播電臺國際能見度。","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/464/relpic/31011/9583552/541957cb-710c-401e-96f8-ecb8d9e1925f.png"}][]Taipei Broadcasting Station96656550https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=60B302E92347ADC2New Announcement from the Taipei City Government—Smoking Prohibition in Designated Areas Effective June 1, 2026The Department of Health, Taipei City Government, in its commitment to safeguarding citizens' health and fostering a smoke-free outdoor environment, hereby announces a smoking ban in the following locations, in accordance with Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 4 of Article 19 of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act: <ul style="margin-bottom:0cm;" type="disc"><li style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:19px;font-family:標楷體;">The outdoor areas and surrounding sidewalks within the Ximending.</li><li style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:19px;font-family:標楷體;">The outdoor areas and surrounding sidewalks of the CTBC Financial Park Mall and Buildings D, E, and F.</li><li style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:19px;font-family:標楷體;">All outdoor public areas of Xinglong Social Housing (Block E).</li></ul> Violators will be subject to a fine ranging from NTD 2,000 to NTD 10,000, as stipulated in Paragraph 2 of Article 40 of the aforementioned Act.2026-06-01T14:56:00[][][][]Department of Health, Taipei City Government95823510https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=D772423C34501BADFire Department Teams Up with Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation, Embarking on a Brand New Disaster Prevention Journey "Fire Experience X MRT Escape" Little Warriors on a Mission, Registration Now Open!This summer, don’t just stay home enjoying the air conditioning and scrolling on your phone! Join the challenge and let your children become true “Disaster Prevention Heroes” during their summer vacation! To help children learn disaster prevention knowledge in a fun and engaging way during the summer break, Taipei City Fire Department will hold the “2026 Taipei City Fire and Metro Disaster Prevention Experience Camp” from July 6 to July 22, 2026 (every Monday to Wednesday) at the Beitou Resort of Taipei Metro. Through interactive games, hands-on activities, and realistic simulations, children will learn essential disaster prevention and emergency response skills. The camp is completely free of charge, and online registration will officially open at 10:00 AM on June 1, 2026. Parents are encouraged to register early, as spots are expected to fill up quickly! (Registration website：https://www.beclass.com/rid=30526ae6a14b22239625) What is the coolest experience this summer? The answer is: “Actually learning emergency evacuation inside a real metro system!” For the first time, Taipei City Fire Department is partnering with Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation to launch an immersive “Metro Emergency Evacuation Experience Program.” Children will have the opportunity to enter real metro platforms and train cars, as well as simulated tunnel environments, to experience emergency response scenarios firsthand. They will learn how to stay calm, make safe decisions, and evacuate properly during unexpected incidents. In addition to the exciting metro escape experience, the camp also includes a variety of disaster prevention courses such as fire safety, earthquake evacuation, smoke escape training, and self-protection skills. Through scenario-based learning, interactive games, and practical drills, children will learn important safety knowledge while having fun. According to Taipei City Fire Department, eligible participants include elementary school students entering Grades 1 to 4 in the 2025 academic year who are either registered residents of Taipei City or currently enrolled in Taipei City elementary schools. For children who are neither registered residents nor enrolled in Taipei City schools, at least one parent or legal guardian must have household registration in Taipei City. A portion of the camp spots will also be reserved for children from orphanages and child welfare organizations, allowing more children the opportunity to learn disaster prevention skills. Fire Department reminds parents that this annual event is extremely popular and spaces are limited. Registration may close early once all spots are filled. Don’t miss the opportunity to give your children the most exciting and practical disaster prevention adventure of the summer!📍 Event Dates: July 6–22, 2026 (Every Monday to Wednesday)📍 Venue: Beitou Resort, Taipei Metro(No. 88, Lane 527, Daye Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei City)📍 Registration Period: From 10:00 AM, June 1 to 4:00 PM, June 12, 2026(Registration will close early if all spots are filled.)📍 Participation Fee: Free of Charge📍 Registration Website: https://www.beclass.com/rid=30526ae6a14b22239625📍 Contact Information:(1) Mr. Lin, Junchang Co., Ltd. / +886-907-076-712(2) Ms. Chen, Taipei City Fire Department / +886-2-2729-7668 ext. 8728 2026-06-01T08:00:00[][][][]Taipei City Fire Department95816830https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=1BC328BCE52B3A62Gender Equality Implementation on Management Positions of Taipei City Government In an effort to promote actual policy implementation in relation to gender equality, the Taipei City Government is incorporating the aspect of gender equality in all of its related policies. In cases when supervising positions at city government offices become vacant, the Taipei City Women’s Rights Protection Regulations and Civil Service Promotion Act shall be used to address the circumstance, and supervisor gender ratios shall also be provided to respective responsible heads for reference. Taipei City is vowing to thoroughly execute its gender mainstreaming policies.As of the end of April, 2026, the ratio of management positions in office work  is 44.67% male to 55.33% female, which is approaching equilibrium.Taipei City government will continue to supervise its agencies to work on their current foundation, and put efforts into including the views and experiences of gender mainstreaming in policy implementation and promotion, to make Taipei a gender-neutral and happy City.2026-06-01T00:00:00[][][][]Department of Personnel, Taipei City Government96577110https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=24CA3FE90A0B460EWhat’s on the Menu? Uncovering the Diet of Eurasian Otters from KinmenCan Eurasian otter scat reveal hidden insights into their survival? Taipei Zoo’s research team has been tracking the elusive Eurasian otter population in Kinmen for years. As these nocturnal and elusive animals are rarely observed directly, researchers rely on collecting their scat. By analyzing these samples, they can gather valuable information on individual distribution and habitat use, while also identifying prey remains to uncover the otters’ daily diet. As the last Wednesday of May marks World Otter Day, Taipei Zoo invites the public to visit otters at the zoo and learn more about the survival challenges faced by their wild counterparts. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) in Taiwan’s Red List and is legally protected as a Category I Endangered Species under the Wildlife Conservation Act. Currently, its wild population in Taiwan is limited to Kinmen. However, the species faces multiple threats, including human disturbance, attacks by free-roaming animals, road mortality, and habitat fragmentation, all of which have led to a steady decline in available habitat. In recent years, organizations such as the Kinmen National Park Administration, Kinmen County Government, Kinmen Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Association, and Taipei Zoo have accumulated extensive experience in rescue, medical care, and captive husbandry. At the same time, research teams and local NGOs have deployed trail cameras across various habitats, capturing valuable footage of otter activity. In addition to its ex-situ conservation efforts, Taipei Zoo began applying molecular techniques a decade ago, under the guidance of Professor Li Ling-ling of National Taiwan University, to monitor individual otter distribution. Since 2016, the zoo’s research team has conducted annual field surveys in Kinmen, collecting fresh scat samples and bringing them back to the zoo’s molecular laboratory for analysis. These efforts have helped establish baseline data on population dynamics and gradually piece together the ecological profile of Kinmen’s Eurasian otters. Tracking Eurasian otters—nocturnal, highly secretive, and adept swimmers—is extremely challenging. Fortunately, their habit of marking territory with feces allows researchers to collect samples with minimal disturbance. Fresh otter scat is typically dark, emits a strong fishy odor, and often contains visible fish scales and bones. However, visual inspection alone provides only limited dietary information. With long-term support from Kinmen National Park since 2020, researchers have been able to continuously monitor population trends and survival needs. Through DNA sequencing of scat samples, scientists can build individual identity databases and identify prey species from genetic traces. This enables the construction of a comprehensive dietary profile, offering insights into how the population survives and adapts in the wild. Although a variety of prey—including fish, shrimp, crabs, waterbirds, water snakes, and frogs—have been recorded in the otters’ diet, fish make up the majority of their daily intake. Common freshwater species include tilapia, crucian carp, common carp, snakehead, and eels, while estuarine and marine species such as mullet and swamp eels  catfish are also consumed. Notably, tilapia species appear with particularly high frequency, occurring in over 70% of scat samples collected in Kinmen. Originally native to Africa, these invasive fish have proliferated widely in Taiwan’s freshwater ecosystems, posing significant threats to native species. In Kinmen, however, they have become a primary food source for Eurasian otters. This heavy reliance highlights a unique ecological adaptation, differing from otter populations in temperate regions that depend on more seasonal dietary shifts. While tilapia negatively impact freshwater ecosystems, they have inadvertently provided a stable food supply for this top predator. Through long-term scat analysis, researchers are able to systematically study population structure, dynamics, and feeding ecology, gaining a deeper understanding of the otters’ role within the ecosystem. Although fieldwork and laboratory analysis are both meticulous and demanding, they reveal the significant value of scat as a research resource, providing essential data for developing effective conservation strategies and ensuring the long-term survival of the species. When visiting or passing through wildlife habitats, the public is encouraged to take their trash with them, minimize disturbance, reduce driving speeds, and stay alert. By working together with conservation authorities, local governments, and NGOs, we can help safeguard the future of Eurasian otters in Kinmen. 2026-05-27T14:54:00[][][{"title":"In Taiwan, Eurasian otters are currently restricted to Kinmen’s aquatic habitats and are classified as Critically Endangered (CR) in the Taiwan Red List.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657711/c4cd5a8c-3269-41a5-8f6f-2160308d4ef0.jpg"},{"title":"Scat surveys are typically conducted in the early morning to collect fresh samples.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657711/1c404784-27e1-411d-becc-2e41a64d6fab.jpg"},{"title":"Riverbanks, reservoirs, and water infrastructure in Kinmen all serve as important habitats for Eurasian otters.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657711/192d218d-edd3-48e2-8d48-bc805ff07b91.jpg"},{"title":"Eurasian Otter (Image source: International Otter Survival Fund)","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657711/96f8a0ba-83a8-4552-9822-0edb2256d515.png"},{"title":"Dietary studies of Eurasian otters in Kinmen show that fish, shrimp, crabs, waterbirds, water snakes, and frogs may all be part of their diet.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657711/425d6644-7901-4d0d-aa81-9742dcbe8110.jpg"},{"title":"Fresh Eurasian otter scat often contains visible fish scales and bones and emits a distinct fishy odor.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657711/2e546531-96f4-4504-9910-9d20fff66077.jpg"},{"title":"With otter tracks often overlapping human footprints, the activity range of Eurasian otters in Kinmen significantly overlaps with human environments.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657711/fb062877-c7c4-40d6-ba91-171ed06cd5e1.jpg"},{"title":"World Otter Day (Image source: International Otter Survival Fund)","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657711/c7c0e24c-ee4a-4bc1-9935-ee7c4f93e635.png"}][]Taipei Zoo96577710https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=03C85AC6C5FCDC57Southern Tamandua “Hei Niu” Located After Strolling Along Perimeter RoadThank you to everyone for your concern over the past few days regarding Taipei Zoo’s Southern tamandua, “Hei Niu.” The missing animal was successfully located today (May 25). Just as the zoo was preparing to host the 6th Joint TAG Meeting, staff members unexpectedly spotted “Hei Niu” leisurely crossing the perimeter road. A staff member immediately exited the vehicle to follow her movements. After crossing the road, she moved down the slope toward the floral clock boardwalk in front of the Tropical Rainforest Area, approaching visitor-accessible spaces. Additional staff were quickly called in, and she was safely secured and brought to the veterinary hospital for observation. A preliminary examination showed no external injuries, and further assessments will be conducted after she has rested and stabilized. The recent disappearance of “Hei Niu” had drawn widespread public attention. Upon confirming her absence, the zoo immediately activated its search protocol, deploying more than 10 staff members daily for patrols while setting up trail cameras and live traps in surrounding areas. The zoo also extends its gratitude to the Taiwan Search and Rescue Dog Association for assisting in the operation. During the search, scent detection dogs identified a trail near the Giant Panda House; however, camera footage in the area only captured native wildlife activity—including Formosan Reeves’s muntjacs, crab-eating mongooses, Small Chinese Civet, and Swinhoe's Blue Pheasant—with no sign of “Hei Niu.” On the afternoon of May 25, at around 5:30 PM, staff members driving along the perimeter road spotted “Hei Niu” , calmly crossing the road. She continued down toward the floral clock boardwalk in front of the Rainforest Area, nearing visitor zones. Staff immediately followed on foot and called for support to coordinate a safe capture. By early evening, she was successfully secured. Upon inspection, “Hei Niu” was found to be in stable condition and still highly active; she resisted strongly during the process and even scratched a staff member’s hand, indicating that her physical condition remains good. “Hei Niu” has since been transferred to the veterinary hospital for observation and further health evaluations. Initial blood tests and physical examination indicate no obvious injuries, with only mild dehydration observed. She will be allowed to rest and recover before undergoing additional examinations and follow-up care. Taipei Zoo sincerely thanks the public and all supporting parties for their concern and assistance during this time. 2026-05-25T16:02:00[][][{"title":"At approximately 5:30 PM on May 25, the missing Southern tamandua was spotted by zoo staff along the Perimeter Road within the zoo. A preliminary check confirmed that she was in stable condition.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657771/f7079594-2c08-45eb-a30d-58b70a0d4286.jpg"},{"title":"In recent days, zoo staff had repeatedly entered the surrounding forested hillsides to search for signs of the tamandua.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657771/56f280f3-6f92-4d64-b2f9-ce717e0f63c0.jpg"},{"title":"The Southern tamandua “Hei Niu” appeared to be in good spirits and has since been transferred to the zoo’s veterinary clinic for further observation.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei8587eca3-382a-43d4-8281-b9f7ec0eefb8.jpg"},{"title":"Immediately following her escape, zoo personnel launched a comprehensive search both within and beyond the enclosure.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657771/a1dc1919-1ecb-4658-988d-42b87644875e.jpg"}][]Taipei Zoo96577790https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=90AD922BD6F189B0International Day for Biological Diversity: Urban Wildlife All Around UsAs dusk falls at Taipei Zoo and visitors leave, the forest’s residents become active. Masked palm civets, crab-eating mongooses, and ferret-badgers quietly pass along the pathways. Calls of Formosan Reeves’s muntjacs echo from the hillsides near service roads, while giant flying squirrels glide like shadows through the forest. Occasionally, Formosan pangolins may also be spotted. The zoo’s rich environment supports a wide variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Similar ecological resources can be found throughout Taipei City. By protecting wildlife habitats, embracing the principles of “No Feeding, No Contact, No Disturbance,” and sharpening our observation skills, we can discover that wildlife is actually closer than we think. Wildlife sightings in Taipei are are commonly observed. From familiar species such as the Malayan night heron, Oriental turtle dove, cattle egret, white-breasted waterhen, and Pallas’s squirrel, to less commonly noticed animals like masked palm civets, crab-eating mongooses, Formosan pangolins, and red giant flying squirrels, these encounters are often captured by the public and shared on social media. While wildlife activity is inevitably affected by expanding human development, Taipei’s basin landscape—surrounded by hills and low-elevation forests—supports a rich natural ecosystem. Urban terrestrial and aquatic habitats are interconnected, forming “blue-green corridors” that wildlife can utilize. Taipei has long been home to diverse species, and its biodiversity deserves greater public attention. To help address global biodiversity loss, this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22 adopts the theme “Acting locally for global impact.” The theme encourages everyone to take part in and support local actions in their own way, highlighting how efforts at every level can contribute to global outcomes. It also aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022), which outlines 23 action targets. For example, Target 2 focuses on reducing threats to biodiversity through ecosystem restoration and connectivity, while Target 12 emphasizes maintaining and connecting urban blue-green spaces for sustainable use. Both highlight the importance of protecting biodiversity in and around cities, as well as the role individuals can play. On International Day for Biological Diversity, Taipei Zoo invites everyone to begin by getting to know the wildlife around us, appreciating the beauty and reality of biodiversity, and taking action in daily life. For example, do not feed wild or free-roaming animals. Feeding can alter natural behaviors, cause animals to lose their foraging instincts, and lead to nutritional imbalance, ultimately affecting food webs and population stability. It can also result in animal aggregation, increasing human-wildlife conflict and the risk of disease transmission. Maintaining an appropriate distance from wildlife is key to coexistence and biodiversity conservation. Taipei Zoo will also participate in the “2026 Taipei Education Expo” from June 6 to June 8 at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1. At the Lifelong Learning Exhibition Area, the zoo will host an insect exploration booth, inviting visitors to discover the natural world from an insect’s perspective. Through diverse, cross-generational educational activities, the zoo aims to share the wonders of biodiversity and promote lifelong learning. 2026-05-22T16:07:00[][][{"title":"Sightings of crab-eating mongooses, masked palm civets, and pangolins near urban areas often spark public amazement; however, their presence is entirely natural in the mountain-surrounded Taipei Basin. (Photo by Chan Te-chuan)","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657779/23c3656a-022d-447c-82c4-d34df0a2922c.jpg"},{"title":"Recently, sharp-eyed staff members spotted a family of Collared Scops Owls within the zoo’s operational areas.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657779/d1a59bd8-c274-42bb-9349-bd1bebe54bcc.jpg"},{"title":"Nighttime is the prime foraging period for Formosan Giant Flying Squirrel, which can be found in Wenshan District, where the zoo is located, as well as in nearby Xinyi District.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657779/8b3cccfd-24c8-46a8-b000-0fbc04be431b.jpg"},{"title":"Red-Bellied Tree Squirrels are common urban residents, but the public is advised not to feed them to avoid altering their natural behaviors","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657779/9096b900-415e-4a9a-9867-4415418e04e4.jpg"},{"title":"The Oriental Turtle Dove is a commonly seen bird species in Taipei City","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657779/b8ff04ac-e668-4c75-a916-14f89a6d5e8a.jpg"},{"title":"2026 Taipei Education Expo","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657779/687bfabf-0f67-41ae-a6e4-b828b56869b3.jpg"},{"title":"The zoo’s woodlands are home to Swinhoe’s Pheasants, which can occasionally be seen venturing onto visitor pathways during the quiet early morning hours. (Photo by Chan Te-chuan)","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657779/ebf82779-c19b-4619-b4f1-8d73ab47f6ac.jpg"},{"title":"Formosan Reeves’s muntjacs are frequently seen in the zoo’s natural environment, with their barking calls echoing through hillside forests at dusk.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657779/9ac5e7de-3d17-4d64-82f7-d3cb19f71611.jpg"},{"title":"Wild troops of Formosan rock macaques are also active around Taipei Zoo. Visitors are strongly advised not to disturb, touch, or feed them, and to give the animals adequate space.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657779/fcb51054-a456-4c9c-9304-de8ea6bdf0cd.jpg"},{"title":"White-breasted waterhens inhabit the zoo’s wetland areas; their breeding and chick-rearing can be observed in locations such as the Flamingo Pond and rice paddies in the Children’s Zoo.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657779/cc0fbb74-9d6e-4428-b5b3-9b52c88c04a6.jpg"},{"title":"International Day for Biodiversity 2026","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657779/f623d9af-c810-4b17-8689-2e6f9999ba2b.gif"}][]Taipei Zoo95815500https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=E6AB105D6A3D10E3Taipei City Claims Double Honors with Four Consecutive Years of Record-Breaking Business Sales and NT$40 Billion Debt ReductionAccording to statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, Taipei City’s business sales have continued to grow steadily since Mayor Chiang took office at the end of 2022, increasing from NT$17.08 trillion in 2022 to NT$19.41 trillion in 2025. The city has achieved four consecutive years of growth and repeatedly reached record highs, demonstrating not only Taipei’s robust economic performance, strong industrial momentum, and vibrant commercial activity, but also the effectiveness of the city government’s policies under Mayor Chiang’s “Sustainable Prosperity” vision, which aims to strengthen Taipei’s overall competitiveness and support sustainable industrial development. The Department of Finance stated that the Taipei City Government has actively promoted private-sector participation in public infrastructure and urban development projects, attracting cumulative private investment totaling NT$102.5 billion over the past three years. Major initiatives include the superficies rights development project for City-owned Lot No. 88 in the Ruanqiao Section of Beitou District (T17 and T18 blocks), which is expected to attract internationally renowned enterprises and further promote industrial clustering and supply chain integration. Additionally, the publicly-led urban renewal projects in "Zhongshan Min’an" and "Tonghua Anhe" are accelerating urban renewal and city regeneration, while the Beitou Film Studio ROT project integrates local cultural heritage with film industry resources to establish a key hub for historical preservation, film production, and arts education. Through these investment attraction and development initiatives, Taipei City has built a solid foundation for sustained business growth. In addition to stimulating economic development, these efforts have effectively increased city revenues, strengthened fiscal resilience, and enhanced Taipei’s long-term debt repayment capacity. Commissioner Hsiao-Lan Hu of the Department of Finance stated that Taipei City’s record-high business sales, the highest nationwide, have become a key driver of urban development. The achievement also reflects strong confidence from industry in Taipei’s investment environment, as well as public recognition of the city government’s governance and policy performance. With steady economic growth and the continued expansion of the tax base, the Taipei City Government has remained committed to fiscal discipline and prudent debt management. In May 2026, the city repaid NT$10.6 billion in debt, reducing outstanding debt from NT$89.8 billion at the end of 2022 to NT$49.8 billion. Since Mayor Chiang took office, cumulative debt reduction has reached NT$40 billion — the highest among local governments in Taiwan — significantly strengthening Taipei’s fiscal health and debt management capacity. The Department of Finance further explained that, following this latest debt repayment, Taipei City’s outstanding debt balance has been substantially reduced, while annual interest expenditures are expected to decrease by approximately NT$200 million. Meanwhile, per capita debt has fallen from NT$36,000 when Mayor Chiang took office to NT$21,000, representing a reduction of NT$15,000 per resident. Looking ahead, the Taipei City Government will continue upholding the principles of fiscal sustainability and sound fiscal discipline, prudently managing and reducing debt in accordance with the Public Debt Act. The city will also continue collaborating with private-sector partners to promote sustainable urban development and build a capital city marked by strong economic momentum and long-term fiscal resilience.2026-05-22T13:47:00[][][][]Department of Finance, Taipei City Government95793260https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=44027B7C898043E5Rooting Disaster Prevention Education in Schools: Connecting Families and Communities to Build a Safe and Resilient CityTo enhance public awareness of disaster prevention and community emergency response capabilities, the 4th District of the Taipei City Fire Department partnered with Private Yu-Hua Senior High School to jointly host the "Beitou District Community Disaster Prevention Carnival" during the school’s anniversary celebrations. By inviting students, teachers, parents, and community members to participate in interactive disaster prevention experiences and scenario-based learning, the event promoted proper concepts of fire safety, disaster prevention, and emergency evacuation, establishing a correct understanding of "Universal Disaster Prevention and Prior Prevention".  Core Philosophy: Rooting, Extending, and Shared Learning  The Fire Department stated that the event centered on the core concept of "rooting disaster prevention education in schools, extending it into families, and promoting shared learning throughout the community". The goal is to strengthen disaster prevention education from the grassroots level, ensuring that students are not only learners but also seeds and bridges for promoting safety awareness within their families and neighborhoods. This brings proper concepts from schools into households and further into local communities to strengthen self-preparedness and urban resilience.  Interactive Disaster Prevention Activities The event featured several interactive disaster prevention booths and hands-on experiences, including:⚫ Emergency Medical Care: CPR and AED hands-on training.    ⚫ Scenario Simulations: VR-based fire evacuation and earthquake response experiences.    ⚫ Equipment Operation: Water safety education and indoor fire hydrant demonstrations.    ⚫ Fire Prevention: Promotion and education regarding residential fire alarms.  Community Engagement and School Contribution The Fire Department pointed out that Yu-Hua Senior High School has long been deeply engaged in local education and community participation in the Beitou District. Integrating disaster prevention outreach with the school anniversary celebration not only helps students establish correct concepts from an early age but also encourages parental involvement. This allows disaster prevention awareness to extend from the campus to households and expand into the community, creating a collaborative effect for disaster prevention promotion.  Electrical Safety: The "5 Don’ts and 1 No" Principle According to the Fire Department’s 2025 fire statistics, electrical factors are the leading cause of fires. The Department reminds the public to follow the "5 Don’ts and 1 No" principle when using electrical appliances and extension cords:⚫ Do not overload electrical circuits.    ⚫ Do not bundle or tie wires.    ⚫ Do not leave unused appliances plugged in (unplug when not in use).    ⚫ Do not use damaged or dirty plugs.    ⚫ Do not place flammable materials near electrical appliances.    ⚫ No products should be used without certified safety labels.  The Fire Department emphasized that while disasters cannot be completely avoided, risks and damages can be significantly reduced through continuous education, prevention, and regular drills. Moving forward, the Department will continue to promote the concepts of "Daily Disaster Prevention Education" and "Universal Disaster Prevention," combining school, family, and community resources to enhance the city's overall resilience and public safety.    2026-05-21T17:09:00[][][][]Taipei City Fire Department96577550https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&s=9D02A96AF1D1CBFEMalayan Tapir “Bintang” Arrives in Taiwan on May 20Taipei Zoo has welcomed a new member from the Singapore Zoo, operated by Mandai Wildlife Reserve. “Bintang,” a nearly six-year-old male Malayan tapir, arrived in Taiwan on the evening of May 20 and safely reached the zoo around 9:00 PM. His name, “Bintang,” means “star” in Malay. The zoo looks forward to him joining the Malayan tapir family in Taipei, adapting smoothly to his new environment, and bringing fresh vitality—just like his shining name suggests. Both Taipei Zoo and Singapore Zoo participate in the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Ex-situ Programme (EEP), working together to conserve the Endangered (EN) Malayan tapir. Through inter-zoo genetic exchange, they help maintain a healthy and sustainable ex-situ population. In 2021, Singapore Zoo transferred the female tapir “Putri” to Taipei, where she paired with resident male “Mo Shu” and gave birth to “Treeda.” In 2026, Taipei Zoo sent the male tapir “Rimuru,” born in Taipei, to Singapore. In return, Singapore selected the young male “Bintang” to come to Taipei, continuing this important genetic exchange to support the global conservation population. As part of global integrated conservation efforts, such animal transfers remain essential for maintaining the health and genetic diversity of endangered species. “Bintang” was transported by STARLUX Airlines and arrived safely at the zoo’s quarantine facility, where he appeared cautious but stable. He will now rest and recover from the journey. After completing a one-month quarantine period, he will gradually acclimate to his new home and caretakers before being introduced to the public. 2026-05-21T15:50:00[][][{"title":"“Bintang” remains in his transport crate as he settles and recovers.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657755/7f9f8ccc-5999-4f3e-b613-e6e14a56b2d8.jpg"},{"title":"Upon arrival at the zoo, “Bintang” quickly ate some carrots, corn, and sweet potato leaves.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657755/e4c28f20-b333-4689-a48d-91dc160f5264.jpg"},{"title":"The Malayan tapir “Bintang” is a young male from Singapore.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657755/9f6c6885-1a8f-46f2-976f-26b1ee55f193.jpg"},{"title":"At the airport, veterinarians carefully assessed his condition before transport to the zoo.","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657755/93f03d2a-14f4-4601-a20e-dd55dc787502.jpg"},{"title":"“Bintang” arrived in Taiwan on the evening of May 20 via STARLUX Airlines. (Photo courtesy of STARLUX Airlines)","url":"https://www-ws.gov.taipei/001/Upload/433/relpic/31011/9657755/6c0f2a76-9dbb-4007-9187-5aca02eaa295.jpg"}][]Taipei Zoo