Keep Taiwan Free Annual Rally in New York
On September 13, Taiwanese American groups held the annual Keep Taiwan Free rally in New York’s Times Square, with 200 supporters gathered to promote Taiwan’s democracy and UN participation.
Think About Taiwan’s Latest Food Safety Scandal
Over the past two weeks, Taiwan has been experiencing yet another major food safety crisis, as illegal gutter oil was used in manufactured commercial oil. What went wrong, and how can consumers and scientific experts agree?
China on the Brink (KP25)
We caught up with China commentator Gordon Chang and ask him about geopolitics in Asia, what advice he gives to the next US and Taiwan presidents, and how he responds to criticism that he is a China alarmist.
The Debrief, 9/9/14
Taiwan’s latest food oil safety scandal, NATO on the Islamic State, the race for submarines in the Western Pacific and Scotland, where polls show more 51% for independence, 10 days before the referendum.
Tainan Cultural Capital (KP24)
We interview Tainan’s mayor Lai Ching-te about his vision for the city of Tainan, Taiwan’s old capital and historical center, as well as his views on how his party, the DPP, can be pragmatic when dealing with China.
Smaller Parties Struggle to Turn Movement Into Political Change
Among the new challengers in this year’s midterm elections in Taiwan, small parties fresh from the Sunflower Movement are gearing up to fundamentally change the political landscape. What difficulties await them?
Dreaming of an Odor-Free Bathroom in Taiwan
In 2004, upon hearing about my summer plans in Taiwan, a classmate responded with, “Oh great! I have always wanted to visit a developing country.” How is Taiwan, the land of soy milk and honey, a developing country?
The Debrief, 9/2/14
Tensions between Hong Kong and China rise again as China proposes to controls on chief executive elections; why Taiwanese businesses in China are not returning to Taiwan, and India’s prime minister’s first foreign trip–to Japan.
India’s Leader Visits Japan for Nuclear Energy and Defense
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as his first diplomatic trip abroad, and discusses nuclear cooperation, security ties, and trade, as a hedge against Chinese rising power.
Why China and Taiwan Are Divided, Really
While China is about national unity, ethnic sameness, and ever-invasive territory claims, Taiwan continues to go towards a lasting and permanent identity separate from one that is Chinese-centric.
Sunflower’s Protests to Politics / 從街頭運動到政治革新 (KP23)
We talk to the two public faces of the Sunflower Movement, Lin Fei-fan (林飛帆) and Chen Wei-ting (陳為廷), on this central question: how do you go from protester to political leader?
The Debrief, 8/26/14
From comparing minimum wages in Taiwan and Korea, to another Taiwanese food conglomerate with Chinese business interest buying cable operator CNS, and the case of James Risen, national security and press freedom.