Truku Warrior Zhang Sen Awarded Model Laborer; Minister Hong Shen-han Presents Award at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital
Zhang Sen, a forest ranger and leader of the Matatali River landslide dam reconnaissance team, was honored as a National Model Laborer for preventing secondary disasters. Currently undergoing treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer, he received his award from Minister of Labor Hong Shen-han, who visited him at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 3, 2026 at 19:34
- 🔍 Collected: May 3, 2026 at 20:01 (27 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 3, 2026 at 20:03 (1 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Li Xian-feng, Hualien, May 3rd) Zhang Sen, who served as the reconnaissance team leader for the Matatali River landslide dammed lake, was honored as a National Model Laborer this year. Due to undergoing treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer, he was unable to attend the commendation ceremony. Today, Minister of Labor Hong Shen-han visited the hospital with a handwritten letter from Premier Cho Jung-tai to express concern and present the award and certificate.
Zhang Sen, 52 years old this year, is a Truku indigenous person from Wanrong Township, Hualien County. He has served as a forest ranger for the Hualien Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency for 26 years, traversing the Central Mountain Range to protect the forests from illegal logging and poaching.
Last year, due to the overflow of a landslide dammed lake, Guangfu Township suffered severe flooding. As all warning systems were destroyed and the dammed lake was located deep in the mountains, making it difficult for various machinery to reach, and with uncertainty about whether another overflow would cause secondary flooding, Zhang Sen served as the leader of the Wanrong Forest Road team, one of two reconnaissance teams. After seven days of arduous trekking, overcoming treacherous terrain, he successfully reached the mouth of the landslide dammed lake, and rappelled down cliffs into deep valleys, making immense contributions to preventing secondary flooding and saving people. For this, he received the honor of National Model Laborer this year.
Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital stated that Zhang Sen began experiencing nosebleeds in January this year. Being focused on his work, he initially didn't pay much attention, but later sought medical attention at the urging of his colleagues. ENT physician Dr. Li Jia-feng diagnosed him with nasopharyngeal cancer. Due to ongoing treatment, he was unable to attend the National Model Laborer commendation ceremony held in Taipei on April 30 and meet with the President at the Presidential Office.
Hong Shen-han, Huang Qun-ce (Director of the Hualien Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency), and others visited Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital today to express their care and present the award.
Hong Shen-han stated that during the Matatali landslide dammed lake incident, thanks to these heroes who silently worked behind the scenes, venturing into dangerous areas and timely relaying critical weather and environmental information, they assisted the government in understanding the disaster situation, deploying rescue efforts, and preventing more areas from being threatened by disaster again.
He said that Zhang Sen's story deeply moved him and once again showed the immense power that laborers can bring to society by diligently fulfilling their duties in their respective positions. "In my heart, Zhang Sen is a true Truku warrior."
Receiving the award and certificate, Zhang Sen said: "I really didn't expect the Minister to come all the way to Hualien to present the award to me, I'm truly touched!" He added that as an indigenous person, he strictly adheres to the teachings passed down by his ancestors: "In the mountains, we must give back, we must know what to do and what not to do."
He said that the overflow of the landslide dammed lake caused the loss of many lives and property, which was very sad. Therefore, when his supervisor said they had to go up the mountain urgently, and the Wanrong Forest Road was his jurisdiction, he went up the mountain with his colleagues without hesitation, hoping to prevent the landslide dammed lake from overflowing again, which could potentially affect residents of Guangfu and Wanrong townships.
Zhang Sen stated that receiving the National Model Laborer award is also a force to continue moving forward, hoping to return to his post after treatment, and continue protecting the forests and tribes in the mountains, and safeguarding this land.
Dr. Li Qi-cheng, an oncologist at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, and Dr. Chen Pei-rong, an ENT physician, explained the progress of the series of treatments planned for Zhang Sen. Vice Superintendent Chen Pei-rong stated that over 30 years ago, the hospital conducted very in-depth research on nasopharyngeal cancer. They are now providing Zhang Sen with a series of regional and local treatments and controls. The treatment plan is very comprehensive, and they will certainly be the patient's strongest support. (Editor: Zhang Ming-kun) 1150503
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(Central News Agency reporter Li Xian-feng, Hualien, May 3rd) Zhang Sen, who served as the reconnaissance team leader for the Matatali River landslide dammed lake, was honored as a National Model Laborer this year. Due to undergoing treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer, he was unable to attend the commendation ceremony. Today, Minister of Labor Hong Shen-han visited the hospital with a handwritten letter from Premier Cho Jung-tai to express concern and present the award and certificate.
Zhang Sen, 52 years old this year, is a Truku indigenous person from Wanrong Township, Hualien County. He has served as a forest ranger for the Hualien Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency for 26 years, traversing the Central Mountain Range to protect the forests from illegal logging and poaching.
Last year, due to the overflow of a landslide dammed lake, Guangfu Township suffered severe flooding. As all warning systems were destroyed and the dammed lake was located deep in the mountains, making it difficult for various machinery to reach, and with uncertainty about whether another overflow would cause secondary flooding, Zhang Sen served as the leader of the Wanrong Forest Road team, one of two reconnaissance teams. After seven days of arduous trekking, overcoming treacherous terrain, he successfully reached the mouth of the landslide dammed lake, and rappelled down cliffs into deep valleys, making immense contributions to preventing secondary flooding and saving people. For this, he received the honor of National Model Laborer this year.
Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital stated that Zhang Sen began experiencing nosebleeds in January this year. Being focused on his work, he initially didn't pay much attention, but later sought medical attention at the urging of his colleagues. ENT physician Dr. Li Jia-feng diagnosed him with nasopharyngeal cancer. Due to ongoing treatment, he was unable to attend the National Model Laborer commendation ceremony held in Taipei on April 30 and meet with the President at the Presidential Office.
Hong Shen-han, Huang Qun-ce (Director of the Hualien Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency), and others visited Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital today to express their care and present the award.
Hong Shen-han stated that during the Matatali landslide dammed lake incident, thanks to these heroes who silently worked behind the scenes, venturing into dangerous areas and timely relaying critical weather and environmental information, they assisted the government in understanding the disaster situation, deploying rescue efforts, and preventing more areas from being threatened by disaster again.
He said that Zhang Sen's story deeply moved him and once again showed the immense power that laborers can bring to society by diligently fulfilling their duties in their respective positions. "In my heart, Zhang Sen is a true Truku warrior."
Receiving the award and certificate, Zhang Sen said: "I really didn't expect the Minister to come all the way to Hualien to present the award to me, I'm truly touched!" He added that as an indigenous person, he strictly adheres to the teachings passed down by his ancestors: "In the mountains, we must give back, we must know what to do and what not to do."
He said that the overflow of the landslide dammed lake caused the loss of many lives and property, which was very sad. Therefore, when his supervisor said they had to go up the mountain urgently, and the Wanrong Forest Road was his jurisdiction, he went up the mountain with his colleagues without hesitation, hoping to prevent the landslide dammed lake from overflowing again, which could potentially affect residents of Guangfu and Wanrong townships.
Zhang Sen stated that receiving the National Model Laborer award is also a force to continue moving forward, hoping to return to his post after treatment, and continue protecting the forests and tribes in the mountains, and safeguarding this land.
Dr. Li Qi-cheng, an oncologist at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, and Dr. Chen Pei-rong, an ENT physician, explained the progress of the series of treatments planned for Zhang Sen. Vice Superintendent Chen Pei-rong stated that over 30 years ago, the hospital conducted very in-depth research on nasopharyngeal cancer. They are now providing Zhang Sen with a series of regional and local treatments and controls. The treatment plan is very comprehensive, and they will certainly be the patient's strongest support. (Editor: Zhang Ming-kun) 1150503
Choose to stand with facts, every donation you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
Keywords: