English

Following Death, Pilot Union Calls for Three-Day Break Between Quarantine and Long-Haul Flights

Brian Hioe
The Taoyuan Pilot's Union has called for pilots to have a three-day break between quarantine and long-haul flights, following the death of a China Airlines pilot on Monday in his home. The cause of death of the pilot, who was 61-years-old and from Venezuela, is still being investigated. There is particular scrutiny on whether he might have died due to COVID-19...
EnglishLaborOctober 2021Social Movements6 min read

What China Studies Scholars Can Do about the Xinjiang Crisis

Guldana Salimjan
In 2019, at a dinner conversation with several established China scholars, I mentioned that it is dangerous for me to return to China and do further research because of the dire situation in Xinjiang. A professor from China was puzzled, ‘Why is that? I go back to my field site every year!’ I sighed but quickly explained to her, ‘Because right now the government has campaigns targeting Turkic Muslim people, and I am from one of these communities.’...
EnglishOctober 2021Politics4 min read

Biden Again Creates Confusion After Comments Suggesting US Commitment to Defend Taiwan From Invasion

Brian Hioe
US president Joe Biden again created confusion regarding the US position on Taiwan today during a town hall held by CNN. In response to a question about whether he would vow to protect Taiwan and what he would do to compete with China militarily, following Chinese tests of a hypersonic missile, Biden stated “Yes and yes"...
America and the Asia PacificEnglishInternationalOctober 20217 min read

The Japanese Communist Party’s Feud with Beijing: Will the Global Left Take Note?

Shaun O'Dwyer
On July 1st, 2021, the Chinese Communist Party celebrated its hundredth anniversary, and duly received congratulatory messages from political leaders and parties around the world. Japan was no exception. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s vice-secretary, Nikai Toshihiro, a veteran “pro-China” faction leader, personally relayed a congratulatory statement on behalf of his party. However, one minor party refused to join in the festive spirit...
EnglishOctober 2021Politics16 min read

Huang Kuo-shu Controversy Reveals Issues of Complicity, Collaboration During Authoritarian Times

Brian Hioe
DPP legislator Huang Kuo-shu announced that he would be withdrawing from the party and not pursuing reelection in 2024 earlier this week after the Liberty Times reported that he had served as an informant during the KMT during authoritarian times. According to the report, Huang was involved in spying on fellow students who were involved in political dissidence in university...
EnglishOctober 2021Politics6 min read

Arrest Calls Attention to Issue of “Deepfake” Videos in Taiwan

Brian Hioe
The issue of "deepfakes" has been widely discussed in Taiwan after YouTuber "Xiao Yu" was found to be responsible for a Telegram group used to sell, commission, and circulate "deepfake" porn videos of women, who were mostly public figures. Xiao Yu, whose real name is Zhu Yu-chen, was subsequently taken into custody. Xiao Yu is primarily known for humor videos, though some of his viral stunts have caused controversy in the past...
EnglishGender/SexualityOctober 2021Social Movements5 min read