English

Indigenous Representatives Criticize Executive Yuan Report on Asia Cement Mine

Brian Hioe
A report by the Executive Yuan on the Asia Cement mine on Indigenous land in Taroko Gorge has led to backlash from Indigenous community representatives, after the findings of the report were that there was not any illegal activity in the land leases for mine. The report’s conclusions have been criticized as reflecting a certain political viewpoint, as well as being contradictory to the report itself. Issues have also been raised with the writing process for the report. Asia Cement is a subsidiary of Far Eastern Group, one of Taiwan’s largest conglomerates...
EnglishEnvironmentalFebruary 2022RaceSocial Movements5 min read

Is the KMT Too Pro-independence for China?

Brian Hioe
In an unusual incident, Chinese state-run media has lashed out at KMT legislators Lin Wei-chou and Charles Chen as secretly being advocates of Taiwanese independence. In particular, it was claimed that Lin and Chen were part of a “covert” faction of Taiwanese independence advocates, distinguished from individuals openly supportive of Taiwanese independence...
EnglishFebruary 2022Politics6 min read

Deal for Taiwan to Pay for Guatemalan Lobbying Efforts May Indicate International Perceptions

Brian Hioe
As reported on by international media, it has emerged from US foreign lobbying records that Taiwan is paying for Guatemala to lobby the US government, to the tune of 900,000 USD. In particular, what raises eyebrows is that this is taking place through the lobbying firm Ballard Partners, which was close to the Trump administration. Notably, Guatemala is one of Taiwan’s fourteen remaining diplomatic allies...
EnglishFebruary 2022Politics5 min read

Several Controversies Take Place Regarding Taiwan’s Participation in the Olympics

Brian Hioe
As may be unsurprising, Taiwan’s participation in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics has led to some political contention, particularly regarding Taiwan’s status vis-a-vis China. As should go without saying, China takes the view that Taiwan is an integral part of its territory. Moreover, as a result of Taiwan’s lack of international recognition, Taiwan participates in the Olympics under the name “Chinese Taipei,” the name by which Taiwan participates in a number of international sporting organizations and international organizations...
EnglishFebruary 2022Politics7 min read

Tsai Administration Lifts Food Ban from Japanese Prefectures Affected by the Fukushima Disaster

Brian Hioe
After months of speculation, the Tsai administration announced the lifting of a longstanding ban on food imports from the Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, and Chiba prefectures of Japan. The ban lasted for eleven years and was enacted after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, which took place after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, as the five provinces were affected by radiation from the ban...
EnglishFebruary 2022Politics6 min read