DPP Criticizes KMT Over Pension Vote

Brian Hioe

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

Jesse R.

Four Decades of Strife and Resistance: A Deep Dive Into What’s Happening in West Papua

Girard Mariano Lopez

KMT Leans Into Calls for Capital Punishment Against Child Abusers

Brian Hioe

Politics

Nantou Legislative By-Election Outcome Likely to Further Splits in the KMT

Brian Hioe
The DPP claimed victory in the Nantou legislative by-election over the weekend, with a victory by Frida Tsai over Lin Ming-chen of the KMT. Nantou is traditionally considered pan-Blue territory, as a result of which this is the first time that the DPP has won the legislative seat since the reorganization of the Legislative Yuan in 2008 to have 113 single-member seats. The by-election was to fill the seat vacated by preceding legislator Hsu Shu-hua of the KMT after her victory in the race for Miaoli county magistrate in the November 2022 nine-in-one elections...
EnglishMarch 2023Politics11 min read

Paraguay Presidential Visit Repeats a Pattern Previously Seen with Honduras

Brian Hioe
A recent visit to Taiwan last week by Paraguayan president Mario Abdo Benitez saw Abdo emphasize that breaking ties between Taiwan and Paraguay would be a “historic mistake”. Namely, Paraguay is one of Taiwan’s 14 remaining diplomatic allies, and it's only South American ally. However, the Abdo visit takes place ahead of Paraguayan presidential elections in April, leading to questions about whether Abdo’s successor will switch recognition to China...
EnglishFebruary 2023Politics6 min read

Cabinet Spokesperson Scandal Potentially Affects Future DPP Outlook

Brian Hioe
Cabinet spokesperson Chen Tsung-yen has resigned after reports that he traded his political influence for sexual favors during his time as head of the Tainan City Bureau of Civil Affairs. Chen had only held his post as cabinet spokesperson for 18 days, as a result of which he has been termed the shortest cabinet spokesperson in history. Despite resigning, Chen has denied wrongdoing. Chen’s resignation has since been approved by Premier Chen Chien-jen...
EnglishFebruary 2023Politics5 min read

DPP Likely to be Affected by Corruption Scandals in Tainan

Brian Hioe
The Tainan city council speaker, Chiu Lili, and deputy city council speaker Lin Zhi-chan, were detained earlier this month by police under suspicion of corruption. Both are DPP politicians. Chiu was eventually released on 1.5 million NT bail, while Lin was released on 1.2 million NT bail, with Chiu asserting afterward that she respected the judiciary’s actions and apologizing for making supporters worry...
EnglishFebruary 2023Politics5 min read