The Debrief 12/9/14
Student activist Chen Wei-ting (陳為廷) runs for parliament in his native Miaoli; calls for constitutional reforms in Taiwan; India and its climate change challenges, and civil unrest in the US after a series of racially-charged cases of deaths by police.
After Elections, Taiwan Talks Constitutional Reforms
After the dramatic local elections last week, political opinion makers from both the KMT and DPP sides are turning their attention to the issue of constitutional reform and systems of governance.
Taiwan After 2014 Elections (KP30)
After the historical 2014 local elections in Taiwan, we check in with Kharis Templeman of Stanford’s Taiwan Democracy Project and Denny Weng of Wesleyan University about what to expect in the future for Taiwan’s political development.
KMT’s Worst Loss in Elections, Ma to Resign as Chairman
On November 29, Taiwan’s ruling KMT suffered a historical defeat in nation-wide local elections, losing 9 of 16 county and metropolitan level executive positions, and losing 6.2% of local council seats overall.
The Real Essence of 2014 Taiwan Elections
The Taipei mayor’s race is highly idiosyncratic, and about the last place to look for insight into fundamental shift in Taiwan politics and elections. Instead, look for these three things on election night.
The Debrief, 11/25/14
A tribe in Tanzania facing eviction due to a development project disguised as a conversation initiative; Iran’s sanctions and nuclear program negotiations and why China’s lowering its interest rates is a cause for concern.
Negotiators Failed to Agree to Iranian Nuclear Deal by Deadline
On Monday, negotiators extend negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. Monday was the deadline previously set by negotiators to reach an agreement for Iran to curb its nuclear program in exchange for easing of sanctions.
China Lowers Rates, Signals Jitters in the Economy
On Friday, China’s central bank announced cuts in key interest rates for the first time in two years. Pundits point to the move as a sign that China’s leaders have finally acknowledged an economy in trouble.
Startups in Taiwan (KP29)
We ask Mike Lee, the founding chairman of Entrepeneur+, a non-profit helping startups, about the state of entrepreneurship in Taiwan today, and how they see the current economic debates going on there.
The Debrief, 11/18/14
We review this week’s news from the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Beijing, including the China-Korea FTA, US-China climate deal, and steps towards a FTA of the Asia Pacific. Also, the new metro line opening in Taipei.
China’s Active Diplomacy at APEC Summit
Leaders at last week’s APEC summit in Beijing also concluded a range of agreements and understandings, including the US-China emissions targets, a declaration towards an Asia Pacific FTA, and more.
China-Korea FTA Sends Shockwaves Through Taiwan
On Monday, China and South Korea agreed to an FTA between the two East Asian economies. The news of the deal sent shockwaves throughout Taiwan, which has looked to South Korea with a mix of envy and anxiety.