Brian Hioe

Taiwan’s Air Is Indeed “Fresh And Sweet” Compared With That Of China

Not too long ago, at the graduation ceremony of the University of Maryland in America, a Chinese student graduating sang the praises of America, stating that American air was “fresh and sweet, and oddly luxurious.” This hurt the feelings of China’s netizens, leading to threats and demands that she apologize. What does this say about the differences between democratic societies and China?...

Uncivilize The Civil Code

The Council of Grand Justices' Interpretation 748 as realizing marriage equality is supposed to be a milestone, if we are to do or say the appropriate thing. But in reality, if we read the interpretation a bit more carefully, we can raise several important issues which have been neglected to date. The importance of these issues lay in that this article cannot be seen as merely concerning marriage equality, but have broad effects on sexual freedoms, marriage and even the Civil Code itself in Taiwan...

After Tsai’s Apology To Indigenous Peoples in Taiwan, What Now?

Many people will say, Tsai Ing-Wen is so great, she even will come meet us face-to-face to apologize. But now, in the present, we have to confront that her apology on Ketagalan Boulevard. No matter whether we view this apology as sympathetic, humble, historical in nature, or simply a staged performance, putting aside these descriptions, this apology, what does this do for indigenous rights in reality?...