English

Debate About Two-Stroke Scooters, Plastic Straws Point To Challenges Facing Environmental Legislation

Brian Hioe
Demonstrations by two-stroke scooters owners as well as recent controversy regarding plastic straws illustrate some of the difficulties facing efforts to introduce environmental legislation in Taiwan. As with elsewhere in the world, efforts at environmental legislation will meet resistance when they infringe upon long-held social habits...
EnglishEnvironmentalJune 2018Social Movements6 min read

After Huashan Murder, Attempts To Scapegoat Creatives On PTT And In Taiwanese Media

Brian Hioe
The conservatism of Taiwanese social morality can be observed in reactions to a recent murder case that occurred in the 120 Grassroots Self-Autonomous Zone, involving the dismemberment of a 30-year-old woman surnamed Gao by a 37-year-old archery teacher surnamed Chen. What is visible through such reactions are attempts to displace blame onto a small group of young people while avoiding addressing deep-rooted problems of toxic masculinity in Taiwanese society. Much reactions have been centered on the Internet, particularly through PTT, including doxxing, harassment, and the posting online of personal information of Grassroots organizers by way of the "human flesh search engine"...
EnglishGender/SexualityJune 2018Social Movements15 min read

Fears Of Chinese Takeover Prompt Protests In Vietnam And Solidarity Rallies In Taiwan

Brian Hioe
Demonstrations against a plan by the Vietnamese government to create special economic zones that will be leased to China took place outside the Vietnamese representative office in Taipei last weekend. Fears have been raised that this will allow for Chinese economic and political influence to enter Vietnam, with China eventually aiming to assimilate and absorb Vietnam wholesale. Solidarity rallies have also taken place in Taiwan...
EnglishJune 2018Self-DeterminationSocial Movements14 min read