Qingtiangang Live Cam Accused of 'Peeping'; Park Office Cites Ecological Conservation

(CNA, Taipei, May 21, by reporter Kao Hua-chien) After recent disorderly conduct by individuals at Qingtiangang in Yangmingshan National Park, former Minister without Portfolio Chang Ching-sen argued for rejecting "government peeping." The Yangmingshan National Park Headquarters stated today that the live cameras are located in public spaces for ecological conservation and to provide visitors with real-time weather conditions, thus requiring a certain resolution. A man and a woman recently engaged in disorderly conduct at Qingtiangang in Yangmingshan National Park. The Shilin Police Precinct was notified and summoned the two for questioning. The individuals involved appeared on the 17th, confessed to the act, and were referred to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office for public indecency after questioning. Former Minister without Portfolio Chang Ching-sen questioned on Facebook, under the title "Reject Government Peeping," what right the government has to publicly broadcast a couple's private activities to the world. The Yangmingshan National Park Headquarters stated in a press release this evening that the live cameras at Qingtiangang and other scenic spots are all located in open public areas. Their purpose is for ecological conservation, scientific research, safety management, and to allow visitors to fully understand real-time weather conditions, hence the need to maintain a certain resolution. The Park Headquarters said the Qingtiangang case has recently caused a cluster effect, with some visitors making noise late at night, playing music, using strong lights indiscriminately, and illegally smoking and littering. These actions not only severely disturb the nocturnal habitats of wildlife, leading to withered and bare lawns, but the late-night traffic noise also impacts the sleep quality of residents on the surrounding Jingshan Road. The Park Headquarters stated that it has already adjusted the camera angles to only show medium and long shots, hoping to reduce the chaos and restore normalcy. It will also continue to strengthen patrols, advocacy, and guidance with the Fourth Division of the Seventh Special Police Corps of the National Police Agency, Ministry of the Interior, to curb disorderly behavior. The Park Headquarters urges visitors to Qingtiangang and other natural environments at night to speak softly, turn off strong light sources, and take their trash with them. While enjoying nature, please return the due habitat to wildlife, respect the rights of local residents, and jointly protect the precious tranquility and ecology of the national park. (Editor: Lin Chia-hsien) 1150521