August 2018

What Are The Takeaways From Tsai’s US Visit?

A recent visit by Taiwanese president to America has received much attention, with this being seen as a sign of stronger ties between Taiwan and America in the wake of the passage of the Taiwan Travel Act. However, first, the visit represents incremental change far more than it does a substantial break from previous American policy towards Taiwan, and second, one actually observes increased wariness of the Trump administration from the Tsai administration in the course of the visit...

Politicization Of Comfort Women Issue Prevents Justice For Being Realized For Survivors

Unfortunately, it continues to be unlikely that Taiwanese comfort women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese empire will see justice in their lifetimes given the politicization of the issue by both pan-Blue and pan-Green political actors, and the reluctance of the current Japanese government to make any genuine apology for its actions during World War II...

Does CUPP Raid Indicate Future Attempts To Crack Down On Chinese Funding Of Pro-Unification Groups?

Raids on the offices of "White Wolf" Chang An-Lo's Chinese Unification Promotion Party have led to accusations from Chang that the DPP is conducting political persecution against pan-Blue political actors. The raids took place on August 7th, with Chang An-Lo and his son called in for questioning by police on August 9th. Both were later released without jail...

Why Would PXMart Release A Series Of White Terror-Themed Commercials?

Controversy broke out recently following a PXMart commercial featuring a man who appeared to be murdered political dissident Chen Wen-Chen. Two other White Terror-themed commercials would later be released on the Internet. Although the controversy was more a tempest in a teapot than anything, we might still take a look as to why PXMart would produce a series of White Terror-themed commercials...

America’s Indo-Pacific Initative Seems To Be Asia Pivot Redux

With the Trump administration touting its “Indo-Pacific initiative,” some in Taiwan have taken this as a hopeful sign that the Trump administration plans to step up pressure against China. It is further hoped that this will mean stronger American support for Taiwan. However, the perpetual dilemma that Taiwan faces regarding the US-Taiwan security relationship continues to loom in the background. Namely, stronger US actions against China does not necessarily entail stronger support for Taiwan, even if it sometimes does. And this is something that many in Taiwan have failed to reckon with...