English

The Trump Administration’s PRC-ROC Gaffe Funny, But Also Illustrative

Brian Hioe
A mix-up on a press release by White House spokesman Sean Spicer referring to Xi Jinping as the president of the “Republic of China” may be funny, but also a demonstrative sign of the Trump administration’s continued ineptitude regarding its Taiwan policy and handling of America’s delicate balancing act between Taiwan and China. All the more reason to be back away from hasty claims about the Trump’s administration’s “maturation” or its “normalization”...
America and the Asia PacificEnglishJuly 20176 min read

With Recent Comments, Are Ko Wen-Je And William Lai Misreading Trends In Taiwanese Identity?

Brian Hioe
With Ko Wen-Je and William Lai increasingly taking flak from the public regarding statements that are perceived as too compromising of Taiwanese sovereignty to China, one generally suspects their attempt establish independent foreign relations with China is doomed if they aim to accomplish this through placating China. Both may be misreading current trends in Taiwanese identity and views of what Taiwan's international status should be...
EnglishJuly 2017Politics7 min read

Trump, North Korea, And Taiwan

Brian Hioe
As a result of a recent US-Taiwan arms deal and increased tensions between the US and North Korea, an ally of China, some claim that this represents the worsening of US-China relations under the Trump administration after a period in which the Trump administration became strangely friendly with China, a country long at odds with the United States historically. This is a premature conclusion...
America and the Asia PacificEnglishInternationalJuly 20177 min read

Forward-Looking Infrastructure Plan Passes: Public Outrage To Follow?

Brian Hioe
With the passage of the Forward-Looking Infrastructure Bill yesterday night after its third reading, Taiwanese youth activists have reacted angrily to the bill's, seeing as the DPP does not rule out forced land expropriation in the bill. Still others have has also raised concerns that the Forward-Looking Infrastructure Bill could lead to unaccountable spending and an extreme arrogation of power to the Executive Yuan. ...
EnglishJuly 2017Politics9 min read

US-Taiwan Arms Deal Temporary Extension Of Status Quo, Nothing More

Brian Hioe
News of an arms deal between the US and Taiwan will no doubt prove reassuring to those who bank on America as Taiwan’s guarantor of its existing de facto independence from China. Nevertheless, in truth, skepticism is needed. This is merely indicative of a temporary extension of the US-Taiwan status quo, rather than affirming a stronger stance on behalf of Taiwan by the Trump administration...
America and the Asia PacificEnglishInternationalJuly 20176 min read

Demonstrations Mark Xi Visit, But What Now For Hong Kong?

Brian Hioe
Demonstrations took place this weekend across Hong Kong to mark the first visit of Xi Jinping to Hong Kong, the annual pro-democracy march on July 1st, the 20th anniversary of the British handover, and the turnover of Chief Executive from Cy Leung to Carrie Lam. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen what is next for Hong Kong youth activists and others, seeing as youth activists expected more intense protest but this did not happen...
EnglishJune 2017Self-DeterminationSocial Movements5 min read

Liu Xiaobo’s Cancer Diagnosis Comes At Time Of Global Retreat On Human Rights

Brian Hioe
China may soon be facing a PR nightmare on its hands from the possible death of Liu Xiaobo, the 2010 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and an imprisoned political dissident since 2008, from a late stage cancer diagnosis. But the irony of this raising awareness of China's human rights situation is that it comes at a time of a global retreat from human rights discourse...
EnglishJuly 2017Politics5 min read

Stumbles By Pay.taipei Initiative Indicate Government Disconnects From Tech Sector

Brian Hioe
Recent criticisms of of the newly launched pay.taipei initiative by members of Taiwan’s tech community, including g0v’s Billy Lin, are illustrative of disconnects between Taiwan’s tech industry and government officials who may wish to create a tech-friendly image for Taiwan but may not be willing to take the sometimes simple steps to realize that vision...
EnglishJune 2017Politics6 min read