TSMC’s Development of Arizona Semiconductor Plant Could Have Implications for Taiwan’s Security

Jesse R.

Four Decades of Strife and Resistance: A Deep Dive Into What’s Happening in West Papua

Girard Mariano Lopez

KMT Leans Into Calls for Capital Punishment Against Child Abusers

Brian Hioe

Han Kuo-yu Becomes Chair of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy

Brian Hioe

Politics

Recurring Bus Accidents Point to Systemic Issues of Overwork

Brian Hioe
Two pedestrians were injured in Sanchong in February after a bus plowed into a crosswalk, following a dizzy spell by the driver. This is one of a number of incidents involving bus drivers passing out in past years. Usually, these stories, as reported on in the news, have two outcomes–one involving a tragedy that leads to loss of human life, or a miracle because the driver or passengers manage to park the vehicle safely...
April 2024EnglishPolitics6 min read

Polling Shows Language Remains Contested in Taiwan

Brian Hioe
Polling recently released by the Professor Huang Kun-huei Education Foundation showed that 68.4% of those surveyed viewed “native” languages as in danger of disappearing. This referred to Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, and Indigenous languages. Moreover, only 37.2% of the surveyed viewed the Ministry of Education’s policies as effective in preserving native languages...
April 2024EnglishPolitics4 min read

KMT Seeks to Expand Legislative Authority, Given the Pan-Blue Lead in the Legislative Yuan

Brian Hioe
A recent series of proposals from the KMT aims to expand the power of the legislature. This would allow legislators the ability to approve the appointment of officials, as well as conduct investigations of organizations, sections of government, the military, the police, and legal entities. To this extent, legislators would be granted the power to summon government officials and hold them in contempt for not complying, leading to fines of up to 300,000 NT...
April 2024EnglishFeaturedPolitics4 min read

Freeway and High-Speed Rail Proposal by the KMT Stokes Controversy

Brian Hioe
A draft proposal by KMT caucus convener Fu Kun-chi has stoked controversy. Namely, the proposal would provide for the extension of high-speed rail around all of Taiwan, though this is attached to a proposal ostensibly focused primarily on an expressway connecting Hualien and Taitung and the extension of Freeway No. 6 to Hualien. The bill is currently backed by Legislative Yuan Vice President Johnny Chiang of the KMT...
EnglishEnvironmentalFeaturedIndigenousMarch 2024PoliticsRaceSocial Movements5 min read