This week’s major highlights include: the opening of the Sichongxi Hot Spring Festival, rising fraud cases linked to the NT$10,000 payment, progress on Hualien’s upcoming 24-hour library, the new LINE Pay update, and public flu vaccine usage surpassing 90 percent.
Let’s take a look at the key stories.
- 1.Sichongxi Hot Spring Festival Opens, Marking the Start of a 100-Day Winter Tourism Season
The Sichongxi Hot Spring Festival is officially underway, marking the start of the winter tourism season in the Hengchun Peninsula in Pingtung.
The opening parade, performances, and fireworks attracted large crowds.
This year’s event runs for more than three months and features art installations, markets, running events, and cycling challenges across the Sichongxi and Syuhai hot spring areas.
New bus routes and sightseeing shuttles have also been introduced to make the area easier to reach.
Pingtung promoted the festival at recent travel fairs under the slogan “Warm Up in the South,” aiming to boost local tourism and hospitality.
- 2.Fraud Cases Rise in Connection With NT$10,000 Payment Plan; Three Suspects Arrested
Fraud groups are exploiting the government’s NT$10,000 cash payment plan to scam citizens.
In Hsinchu, a man was tricked into giving away his bank information after receiving a fake call from someone posing as law enforcement—losing more than NT$800,000.
Police traced the transactions and arrested three suspects, who were detained on suspicion of fraud and money laundering.
Authorities remind the public that the government will not call citizens or ask for bank account access.
Only use the official website 10000.gov.tw, and report suspicious cases through the 165 anti-fraud hotline.
- 3.Hualien to Establish 24-Hour Public Library, Set to Become a New Cultural Landmark
Hualien is developing a 24-hour public library scheduled to open by the end of 2026.
The building will include reading areas, study spaces, exhibition zones, parent-child facilities, and accessible routes.
Floors 1 to 3 will operate around the clock, offering flexible access for students, workers, and night-shift employees.
Inspired by the Taroko Valley, the design incorporates unique architectural elements and outdoor walkways, positioning the library as a future cultural hub in eastern Taiwan.
- 4.LINE Pay Introduces major update featuring “LINE Pay Money” service
LINE Pay is rolling out a major update introducing LINE Pay Money, a unified e-payment account that integrates top-ups, transfers, payments, transportation, and bill services.
Users can activate it by updating their app and completing identity verification.
The new interface brings together key functions, transaction history, LINE POINTS, coupons, and credit card services in one place.
Meanwhile, iPASS MONEY will phase out by late 2025 and will only support balance inquiries and withdrawals starting in December.
LINE Pay also reminds users to beware of scams and avoid clicking unknown links.
- 5.Public Flu Vaccine Utilization Exceeds 90 Percent; Additional 150,000 Doses Procured
Demand for public flu vaccines remains high, with usage rates now above 90 percent.
To prevent shortages, authorities have purchased an additional 150,000 doses to be distributed in December.
Vaccination rates among older adults remain low, and those eligible for free vaccines are encouraged to get vaccinated early.
The A-type H3N2 strain remains dominant, and activity is expected to peak around the year-end and Lunar New Year holidays.
Officials emphasize that vaccination is still the most effective way to prevent severe illness.
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