Self-Determination

Protests in Hong Kong Against New Law Criminalizing “Disrespect” of the Chinese National Anthem

Brian Hioe
Protests have broken out in Hong Kong over a new law that which would mandate the singing of the Chinese national anthem at official events, such as before sporting events or for the swearing-in ceremonies for lawmakers. The law would also criminalize disrespect to the Chinese national anthem, stipulating maximum penalties of 50,000 HKD, up to three years in prison, and with a three year limit for penalization rather than the usual six months for similar crimes... Read More
EnglishFeaturedJanuary 2019Self-DeterminationSocial Movements0 Comments 06 min read

What Now for Taiwanese Independence Efforts After the Failure of the Olympics Referendum?

Brian Hioe
The proposal for Taiwan to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics under the name “Taiwan”, instead of “Chinese Taipei”, was among those defeated during the referendum held simultaneously with 2018 local elections. This will have important ramifications going forward for efforts to realize Taiwanese independence... Read More
#22EnglishNovember 2018Self-DeterminationSocial Movements2 Comments 06 min read

Concerns That 2020 Olympics Name Referendum Could Lead To Taiwan Olympics Ban On The Rise

Brian Hioe
The most popular of the slate of referendums which are to be voted on this Saturday, the referendum on what name Taiwan will participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics under, has come under increased scrutiny in the past week. Namely, the International Olympics Committee has warned that Taiwan could be banned from participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics if the referendum is successful... Read More
#22EnglishNovember 2018Self-DeterminationSocial Movements0 Comments 05 min read

Reflexive Defense Of Avital Ronell By Left Academics Points To Similar Phenomenon In Taiwan

Brian Hioe
Controversy has broken out in western academia after feminist academic Avital Ronell was accused of sexual harassment, particularly after highly reflexive defenses of Ronell from fellow high-profile academics on the political Left in the form of an open letter, including Judith Butler and Slavoj Zizek. This bears a sharp parallel to incidents which have happened in leftist Taiwanese academia in the past two years and this may be worth reflecting on... Read More
August 2018EnglishSelf-DeterminationSocial Movements0 Comments 07 min read

August Key Month For Referendum Campaigns

Brian Hioe
August would be a key period for several referendum pushes in Taiwan at present. Both the Formosa Alliance’s push to achieve a referendum on Taiwan participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics under the name “Taiwan” instead of “Chinese Taipei” and an alliance of anti-gay groups hoping to hold a referendum against gay marriage and sexual education they see as encouraging homosexuality aim to reach 280,000 signatures by the end of the month... Read More
August 2018EnglishSelf-DeterminationSocial Movements0 Comments 07 min read