A well informed citizenry is the foundation of our modern society. Every week, our news team for The Debrief brings you the most important stories on current affairs, diplomacy, business and human rights, in Asia and around the globe. Not only can we be well informed, but better informed, about the relationship between our lives, our communities, and the common world.
The Debrief, 9/23/14
The ongoing ebola virus crisis in West Africa, a US Congressional hearing on China and freedom of the seas, Scotland’s independence referendum vote, and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India.
Xi Jinping Visits India in Three Day Summit
From September 16th to 18th, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India, with trade and economic deals and border disputes on the table.
Taiwan Reacts to Scotland Referendum Results
On Thursday, voters in Scotland went to the polls for a historic referendum and voted down a bid for Scottish independence, with 55.3% voting no and 44.7% voting yes, at a voter turnout of 84.59%.
US Congressional Resolution to Curb Chinese Maritime Activity
On Wednesday, US Congress held a hearing on “A New Era of US-China Relations”, which focused on limiting China’s recent maneuvers in the East and South China Seas and treatment of US companies in China.
The Debrief, 9/16/14
This week we mourn the death of two men with passion, review Taiwan’s latest food safety scandal, take a look at Sweden’s general election results, a Tibetan rally in Taipei and a Taiwan rally in New York.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
Taiwan Food Conglomerate Plans to Buy Cable Operator, Again
The Ting Hsin International Group, a Taiwanese food conglomerate that owns the largest instant noodle brand in China, is buying Taiwan cable operator CNS, which the Want Want Group almost bought in 2012 amidst protests.
Press Freedom in Question in James Risen Case
James Risen, a New York Times reporter, is facing possible jail time for refusing to testify against a former CIA operative that allegedly contributed classified information to his 2006 book, State of War.
The Debrief, 8/19/14
This week we look at oil in Libya, police militarization in Ferguson Missouri, and another splinter group from the Sunflower Movement. Common themes include social unrest that is deeply rooted in race and a feeling of powerlessness over the economy…
Race and Militarized Police in Ferguson, Missouri
For the past week, a town outside of St. Louis, Missouri has been the center of attention in one of the most shocking and controversial riot and police siege in the United States in recent memory…
Formoshock Society, an Alternative to Sunflower “Leaders”
Formoshock Society’s Yoshi Liu has often differed with Lin Fei-fan and Chen Wei-ting; Liu’s goal is primarily Taiwanese nationalism and national security, while Lin and Chen emphasize procedural justice and civil rights…
Crude Oil Prices May Drop Amidst Libya Conflict
Amidst conflicts involving the some of the major oil-producing OPEC countries, including Libya, Iraq, and Iran, the world has seen an increase in the amount of crude oil…
The Debrief, 8/12/14
Conflict in Ukraine, protests by Hualong Textile’s former employees who never received their pension and severance pays, more old heritage sites in Taipei under threat by developers, and China’s influence in arms trade in Africa.
Hualong Employees Continue Fight for Pensions
On Friday, former employees of Hualong Textiles protested in front of the Ministry of Labor, demanding pension and severance pay that was owed to the workers since as early as 2003, amounting to approximately NT$300 million dollars…
China’s Shadow Over Africa’s Security Discussions
50 African heads of states walked out of a summit in Washington DC with trade deals, but did little regarding issues pertinent to democracy, governance and some of the most urgent humanitarian crises…
Historic Red Light District Under Seige By Developers
Taiwan sex workers rights group COSWAS petitioned for preserving Wenmeng Pavilion (文萌樓), a former public brothel with historical significance for sex workers’ rights…
Lessons From Kaohsiung’s Explosion Tragedy
Underground gas pipeline explosions in Kaohsiung, a major industrial port and Taiwan’s second largest city, killed at least 28 people and injuring more than 280 on July 31. What lessons must we learn?
What’s Next, Lin Fei-fan?
Sunflower Movement leader Lin Fei-fan (林飛帆) was interviewed by Taipei-based magazine Wealth (財訊), and explained in detail his outlook on the future, for the first time since the student occupation of Taiwan’s parliament in March…
Violence and Poverty Push Children to Leave Honduras
Honduras made world headlines after more than 57,000 Honduran children crossed illegally into the United States since last October, and the journey is to escape the poverty and violence posed by drug cartels back home…
The Debrief, 7/29/14
One of the most popular online media websites in Hong Kong, The House News, suddenly shut down; what is next for Hong Kong’s freedom of speech; also we look into ISIS-controlled Iraq, and the ebola outbreak’s humanitarian crisis.
The Debrief, 7/22/14
China and Japan continuing to increase their international presence, anti-Israel sentiment in Taiwan over the Gaza conflict, and one year after the Dapu, Miaoli land expropriation incident.
The Debrief, 7/15/14
Japan courts Australia with a free trade deal and defense cooperation, the Srebrenica Massacre in Bosnia, intellectual property law changes in Taiwan, Taiwan’s HIV shelters and the first backlash against Uber in Asia.
The Debrief, 7/8/14
Myanmar’s oppressed Muslim minority the Rohingya, Kiribati’s solution to relocate its population before the nation sinks into the ocean due to rising sea levels, Taiwan’s aboriginal tourism troubles and the latest on a gondola in Beitou, Taipei.
The Debrief, 7/1/14
China’s top Taiwan affairs official Zhang Zhijun visits Taiwan amidst protests, Hong Kong voters turn out to participate in a referendum and large scale street protests, renewed conflict in Iraq, and deforestation in Indonesia.
The Debrief, 6/17/14
China’s White Paper on ruling Hong Kong through the One Country Two Systems policy, and Hong Kong’s reactions; the second national election in Kosovo, education reform in Taiwan and a constitutional law mock trial on same-sex marriage.
The Debrief, 6/10/14
Taiwan’s affordable housing project’s corruption charges, the ugly side of Taiwan’s paper recycling, controversy with Brazil’s World Cup and a shocking truth about lies in the glitzy world of big-money philanthropy.
The Debrief, 6/3/14
In a short program this week we tell you about how last week’s EU election results have everyone worried, as well as commemorative events for the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre and Taiwan’s Taiyuan Uprising.
The Debrief, 5/20/14
This week we focus on two stories in the escalating conflict between China and Southeast Asian nations over the South China Sea, International Anti-Homophobia Day and DPP’s most recent constitutional change position.
The Debrief, 5/13/14
This week on the Debrief we take a look at ASEAN’s summit meeting focusing on China’s territorial adventurism, Thailand’s ouster of its prime minister, national elections in South Africa, land development and animal rights in Taiwan.
The Debrief, 5/6/14
Taiwan’s execution of five death row inmates, international labor day protests, free trade pilot zones, and a personal account during a visit to areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines last year.
The Debrief, 4/29/14
Taiwan’s nuclear energy controversy engulfed Taiwan in heated debate once again, US President Obama’s trip to Asia and its impact on Taiwan, an opportunity for sensible and equitable development in Danshui, and Japan’s whale hunting expedition.
The Debrief, 4/22/14
A chemical plant in Tainan and Formosan leopard cats in Miaoli; social civil unrest around the world; two left-wing leaning Taiwanese independent newspapers stopped publishing; and a new regressive marriage law in Iraq.
The Debrief, 4/15/14
In the Debrief this week, we wrap up some continuing stories from the Sunflower Movement, and UN’s climate change report and contraception in the Philippines. Finally, a sex party on a train in Taiwan sparks legal debate.
The Debrief, 4/8/14
The aftermaths of Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement, the 20th anniversary of Rwanda’s genocide, protests in China over chemical refineries, HIV policy changes in Taiwan, and a US Senate hearing on US-Taiwan relations.
The Debrief, 4/1/14
We update you on stories such as Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement, independence referendums in Transnistria and Venice, the peace treaty between the Philippines and Muslim rebel groups and more.
Worldwide Support for Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement
Photos from rallies all over the world in support of the student movement in Taiwan, which began on Tuesday, 3/18/14 as a result of controversy over a services trade pact between Taiwan and China.
Photos from Taiwan “Occupy Legislative Yuan” (Sunflower Movement)
Photos from the “Occupy Legislative Yuan” movement in Taiwan, which began on Tuesday, 3/18/14 with police forcefully removing students from the premier’s offices, and is still developing.
The Debrief, 3/18/14
On 9:00 PM Tuesday night Taiwan Time, demonstrators outside the parliament in Taipei have stormed the building and occupied the parliament floor. Police were pushed out and shut outside the floor by a barricade of furniture…
The Debrief, 3/11/14
We report on the trends behind International Women’s Day, China’s Kunming train station attack, anti-nuclear marches in Taiwan, DPP’s military report for 2025, and the verdict in Corporal Hung Chung-chiu’s case.
The Debrief, 3/4/14
In our most comprehensive episode yet, we take a tour around the world looking at stories of concern to human rights: 228 Massacre HK concern of press freedom, the Central African Republic, and the US Human Rights Reports.
The Debrief, 2/25/14
Before we tell you about Vagina Day, we debrief you on the similarities between Ukraine and Taiwan, the new Ministry of Labor, opposition to a gambling resort planned for the islands of Matsu, and Canadian bone-in beef in Taiwan.
The Debrief, 2/18/14
Taiwan and China’s first direct talk, the revised high school curriculum and its influence on Taiwan’s society, the midnight earthquake in Taipei, and Tokyo’s newly elected governor’s attitude toward nuclear energy.
The Debrief, 1/31/14
A truck rammed into the Presidential Office, the extra session at the Legislative Yuan, several protests and Ministry of Education curriculum changes that has everyone outraged, while President Ma travels abroad.
The Debrief, 1/24/14
President Ma Ying-jeou’s foreign trip to end in Los Angeles, Taiwan’s parliament opens for extra session, anti-gay scholars are appointed to gender education committee and Taiwan’s Mega Bank plans to become more mega.