TSMC’s Development of Arizona Semiconductor Plant Could Have Implications for Taiwan’s Security

Jesse R.

After Nine Years, Second Ma-Xi Meeting Occurs in Beijing

Brian Hioe

DPP Aims to Strengthen Laws Regarding Treason, Leaks

Brian Hioe

Chinese Efforts to Intimidate Taiwan Continue During Hsiao Bikhim’s Trip to Europe

Brian Hioe

China Detains Adrift Taiwanese Fisher Due to Military Status

Brian Hioe

International

What Does Terry Gou Aim To Accomplish Through A Deal With Trump?

Brian Hioe
With the recent announcement by FoxConn CEO Terry Gou that FoxConn would be building a $10 billion USD LCD panel plant in Wisconsin in a high-profile press conference with Donald Trump, some in Taiwan question what Gou exactly aims to accomplish with this deal cementing ties between his company and the Trump administration. Given Gou’s close ties with both the KMT and CCP, is Gou acting on behalf of China? Of the KMT? Both? Neither? One wonders...
America and the Asia PacificEnglishInternationalJuly 2017Politics7 min read

Does China Realize Its Taiwan Strategy Has Failed?

Brian Hioe
With rumors of an impending shuffle in China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, including the replacement of Zhang Zhijun as its head, this may signal a shift in China’s attempts to lure Taiwan back into its fold. But while it is anyone’s guess as to what China’s next steps will be, it may be, in fact, hasty to assume that this means that China has realized that its Taiwan strategy has failed and so wishes to change tack...
Cross StraitEnglishInternationalJuly 20176 min read

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

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

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

China’s Isolation Of The DPP Feeds Taiwanese Independence

Joseph Lewis Reid
As we see in Panama's breaking of diplomatic ties with Taiwan or the kidnapping of Lee Ming-Che, does China think international bullying of Taiwan is effective? What is the end goal? We can assume the CCP's eventual end goal is "reunification", but it is difficult to comprehend how political and economic bullying will win over the hearts and minds of the Taiwanese people...
EnglishInternationalJune 2017Regional Tensions3 min read

What Lessons Should We Take Away From Panama Breaking Ties With Taiwan?

Brian Hioe
Seeing as Latin America has long been a diplomatic battleground for Taiwan and China, with China hoping to poach Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies and Taiwan attempting to hang onto them, news of Panama deciding to break ties with Taiwan in favor of recognizing China should not be the most surprising. But are there any lessons we can take away from this?...
EnglishInternationalJune 2017Regional Tensions8 min read