Political Motivations for the Execution of Subway Killer Cheng Chieh?
The execution of MRT subway killer Cheng Chieh has provoked strong feelings in Taiwan. Cheng Chieh was the perpetrator of the subway stabbing attack in May 2014 which left 4 dead and injured 24. Cheng was 23 years old at the time of his execution. Not only has the execution led to renewed controversy over the place of capital punishment in Taiwan’s justice system, but many question whether the timing of the execution was politically motivated.
The WHO Debacle and Implications for the Upcoming Tsai Presidency
There is nothing particularly new about the WHO debacle in regards to what it means for Taiwan’s international status in the world, except recapitulating the same issues which have plagued Taiwan for decades regarding Taiwan’s lack of acknowledgement in the world and will continue to do so as long as Taiwan is yoked to the Republic of China framework. The WHO debacle, however, marks Tsai Ing-Wen’s first substantial engagement with issues concerning Taiwan’s lack of recognition in the lead-up to her presidential inauguration.
What Would An Expansion in the Definition of ‘Chinese’ Citizenship To Be Ethnic in Nature Mean?
Some have interpreted the recent arrests of Chinese with foreign citizenship to signal a shift in the Chinese government calling for loyalty to China on the basis of ethnicity, trumping all else. This would not be particularly surprising. In particular, Chinese citizens who obtain foreign citizenships actually automatically lose their Chinese citizenship. But this has been disregarded in the recent arrests of former Chinese citizens for political dissent, with the insistence that because they were once Chinese citizens, they can still be prosecuted under Chinese law.
Restrictions on Foreign NGOs in China To Target Domestic Chinese Civil Society?
If a recent law passed in China to regulate foreign NGOs have provoked much anxiety, this would only be the expansion of efforts by the Chinese government to control Chinese civil society. Of course, it is that Chinese civil society has seen increasingly restrictive measures under the Xi Jinping administration. The Chinese party-state has a general fear of -restrictionscivil society groups in China becoming a threat to its power. But in particular, the targeting of foreign NGOs also likely is aimed at clamping down on domestic NGOs.
A Decline In Pan-Green Media?
With the recent closing down of Thinking Taiwan and Taiwan Communique, English-language media outlets covering Taiwan have seen a blow. English language coverage of Taiwan is vital to Taiwan given English’s status as the world lingua franca. It is, however, that pan-Green media outlets in general face challenges regarding how to position themselves relative to the upcoming Tsai administration.
Continued Provocations by Ma Ying-Jeou Regarding Disputed Island Territories
Why is Ma Ying-Jeou is making disputed South China Seas islands such an issue as of late, at risk of provoking tensions with neighboring countries? Ma’s actions regarding disputed South China Seas island territories as of late would seem to be beyond rhyme or reason. Ma’s actions may be wholly motivated by KMT ideology at this point.
What Happens Once Ma Ying-Jeou’s Presidential Term Ends?
What happens once Ma Ying-Jeou’s presidential term ends? With less than a month before Tsai Ing-Wen’s inauguration, what lies next for Ma Ying-Jeou? Obviously in a “normal” nation-state, transitions of power between ruling parties occur peacefully. Former presidents usually retire peacefully, though they may continue to weigh in on politics in varying functions. But the debate about what should be done with Ma Ying-Jeou after his term ends is reflective of how Taiwan is far from a fully democratized country.
The Real Black Box?: Taiwan and the TPP
Based on policy statements during presidential elections, the strategy of Tsai Ing-Wen’s incoming administration would seem to be highly focused on signing free trade agreements in order to improve Taiwan’s international standing. This includes signing free trade agreements with China and America alike, as well as with Southeast Asian nations and Europe. If opposition against signing the RCEP with China is to be expected, given that it is a free trade agreement with China and would likely serve as a means for China to diminish Taiwanese sovereignty through economic means, the question of whether to sign the TPP or not is a bigger question for some. Yet if the CSSTA provoked such blowback in 2014 as a “Black Box” pushed through legislature without discussion, the TPP may be no less of a black box.
The TPP, American Pork Imports, And The Geopolitical Realities Of Free Trade
Political opposition to American pork imports is shaping up to be a divisive issue concerning TPP ratification in Taiwan. What is at stake regarding American pork imports is the prospects of a bid from Taiwan to join the TPP. We might take a deeper look at the issue.
A Sign Of Future Attitudes From The DPP Towards Taiwanese Activists?
If recent comments by incoming DPP minister without portfolio Chang Ching-sen have drawn fire for their disdain of student protestors, perhaps this is a sign of what the DPP’s future attitudes towards Taiwan’s student protestors will be. Chang’s comments are revealing about the possible future for relations between activists and members of the Tsai administration.
The Hong Kong Airport Demonstration and Issues of Labor and Class in Hong Kong
Last week over one thousand gathered in demonstration in the arrival hall of Hong Kong International Airport. The sit-in was in demonstration of an earlier incident in which Leung Chai-Yan, daughter of Hong Kong chief executive CY Leung, left a piece of luggage outside of check in and called on her father to intercede in the matter. The demonstration was called for by the Hong Kong Cabin Crew Federation, a union for members of airplane cabin crews. But though this was a labor action, the labor angle of the demonstration has gone neglected.
Backlash Against The Cross Straits Oversight Bill From Activists
Controversy over the cross-straits oversight bill continues, with Sunflower activists criticizing the DPP’s version of the bill as insufficient in its ability to safeguard relations between Taiwan and China and demonstrating outside the Legislative Yuan on April 15th. The bill was originally proposed as a means to prevent a recurrence of the situation of a trade agreement with China being passed with little discussion of the measure in legislature, but the DPP under Tsai Ing-Wen still intends to pass the CSSTA trade bill which was what prompted the student occupation of the Legislative Yuan in 2014.
Differing Political Responses to the Kumamoto Earthquake From Taiwan
Two earthquakes struck the Kyushu region of Japan this week, with a total of 48 dead as of Wednesday. It may be of note to point out the differing responses from official bodies towards the earthquake. Donation funding after the quake has been a popular topic of discussion among citizens from China and Taiwan respectively.
Bipartisan Politics and Conflicts of Interests for the Tsai Administration
Given the prominence of entrenched political and business interests in Taiwanese politics and that this is well-known by the public, it is not surprising that the upcoming Tsai Ing-Wen administration is attempting to make a show of differing from political norms. We see this in current efforts to show that the Tsai administration will go beyond party lines in its political appointments and will not allow business interests to unduly influence it. But will this be successful?
Questions of Justice in the Kenya Deportations?
Questions of justice and the law have been a constant in discussions of the case of Kenyan deportations of Taiwanese citizens to China. Although it is legal to deport individuals who have broken the law to a third country, it remains a question as to the proper legal actions in this case, and what would be the just solution. If it seems likely that Taiwanese criminals would get off without punishment had they been deported to Taiwan, the flipside of this is that legal punishment from China is likely to be overly severe and beyond the pale of justice.
A Pardon for Chen Shui-Bian?
With the second DPP administration under Tsai Ing-Wen incoming, the question of Chen Shui-Bian, the first DPP president and the only previous non-KMT in Taiwanese history, has once again become a political issue. The possibility of a presidential pardon for former president Chen Shui-Bian remains a divisive issue.
Mysteries Remain in Kenya Deportations
Mysteries continue to abound regarding the deportation of 45 Taiwanese from Kenya to China, with the overall circumstances of the deportation remaining unclear. The situation has become further complicated with televised confessions of guilt from suspects in Chinese state-run media and attempts by China to deport Taiwanese suspects to China from Malaysia. We might take a look.
Chinese Media in Revolt?
Although always already precarious, press freedoms in China have seen a further downward spiral under the Xi Jinping administration as of late, recent events having raised fears regarding Xi’s incipient cult of personality and controls on media. Namely, a string of over 20 arrests have been made regarding a letter published on the partly state-backed Wujie News calling for Xi to resign.
The Formation of Demosistō in Hong Kong and Comparisons to 2016 Elections in Taiwan
Questions of activists entering electoral politics are back on the table in Hong Kong with the formation of the Demosistō political party from Umbrella Movement student leaders such as Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow. The formation of Demosistō occurs after the dissolution of the Scholarism, the student group which played a key role in the 2014 Umbrella Movement. We might draw comparison to the entrance of post-Sunflower groups into electoral politics in 2016 elections in Taiwan.
Chinese Kidnappings of Taiwanese Nationals in Kenya Provoke Fears, Outrage, Questions
Deportation of Taiwanese nationals from Kenya to China, rather than Taiwan, provokes anger. The Taiwanese nationals were arrested on charges of telecoms fraud, along with 54 Chinese. Originally ordered to leave the country within 21 days, despite having previously been acquitted, eight of the arrested Taiwanese were then deported to China rather than Taiwan after pressure from the Chinese government. After a period of time in which their fate was unclear, the other 37 subsequently were also deported to China. Though many mysteries remain to be clarified, we might take a look at the overall context of the incident.
Questions of Art and Politics In The Controversy Over Ten Years
Hong Kong film Ten Years would have come to the world’s attention after unexpectedly winning best film at the Hong Kong Film Awards. A dystopian speculative fiction film about Hong Kong in the near future under Chinese rule, the win has provoked controversy. What is controversial is the unorthodox nature of its victory and the questions of art and politics which are at stake.
Why Has Ko Wen-Je Seen a Drop in Popularity As Of Late?
Voted in during nine-in-one elections in 2014, Taipei mayor Ko Wen-Je came to the mayorship with a surge of popularity. But in recent weeks, Ko’s popularity has dropped to 30% and out of Taiwan’s mayors, he is ranked last in popularity. It would be that at a certain point, the Ko honeymoon came to an end. Why has Ko Wen-Je’s popularity suffered decline in recent weeks? We might take a look.
The Panama Papers and China’s Power Elite
What do the Panama Papers reveal about China’s power elite? And what possible implications could this have? What the Panama Papers would pose a challenge for is China’s current ongoing anti-corruption campaign. In the name of rooting out corruption, Xi Jinping has pursued the deposing of numerous powerful CCP leaders. Although it had been long rumored that the Xi family had substantial wealth of its own, Xi was aided in this by a reputation for being incorruptible, and some were willing to take Xi as being a genuine reformer. Certainly, the Panama Paper revelations would deal a blow to the credibility of Xi’s anti-corruption campaign, with Xi himself being implicated.
Why Does Everyone in Taiwan Want To Be Chinese After A Massacre Happens?
On March 28th, a child was ruthlessly murdered, leading to a tremendous panic in Taiwan. All kinds of methods to deal with the crime have been suggested, including: Requiring an identity card to purchase kitchen knives and everyday cutting tools. Reviving “guilt by association” from Taiwan’s martial law period, and make the parents of adult offenders also assume criminal responsibility. Strengthen police authority, and allow them the ability to force treatment on people affected with psychological disorders. Set up the death penalty as the only criminal punishment for child killers. Etc, etc. As for the reasons why these kinds of stabbing incidents have abruptly emerged in Taiwan over the last few years, both the local media and netizens have remained largely silent, and seldom discuss the issue.
雞生蛋還是蛋生雞？臺灣大眾媒體處理殺害兒童事件的議題設定
一位四歲女童最近遭到殘殺，使得死刑存廢爭議在臺灣再次浮上檯面。看來這樣的道德爭論似乎只在提供羶色腥報導素材的「震驚社會」新聞事件中才會出現。既然大眾媒體玩弄著標題殺人法為粉絲頁帶來的點閱人潮，死刑存廢的虛假爭論終究也只能餵養出一整代漠然而被動的個人。有些人會認為，羶色腥新聞由於其聳動標題，以及人類追根究柢的運作機制，才是真能在社會議題上引發興趣及主動「參與」的新聞型態；但我們今天所見的新聞類型卻一點都不像是在動員大眾參與社會議題，反倒只是把焦點從媒體基於選擇性利益而不去報導的迫切議題上轉移開來，同時向個人提供「虛假」議題，營造政治參與的幻覺。這麼做是服膺於利潤動機，畢竟媒體本身就是面向市場行銷的。比方說，「標題殺人法」的用處在於吸引點擊、評分、觀看及閱讀數量，利潤也由此而來。
The Controversy Over the Cross-Strait Oversight Bill
With the incoming Tsai administration less than fifty days away from office, it is now to be seen as to whether the DPP lives up to its campaign promises. Of course, concerning cross-strait relations, it will be seen as to whether the DPP fulfills the demand of Taiwanese civil society from 2014’s Sunflower Movement to the present calling for transparency and openness in cross-strait relations conducted between Taiwan and China. A draft bill to provide oversight regarding cross-strait relations is likely to be passed in the coming week, given the DPP-controlled legislature.
Questions of Political Transition of Power in Taiwan During the Ma-Tsai Meeting
Outgoing Taiwanese president Ma Ying-Jeou and incoming president-elect Tsai Ing-Wen met in Taipei on Wednesday in order to discuss the upcoming transition of power between a KMT and DPP presidency. This will be the third presidential transition of power between parties in Taiwanese history, the first being the transfer of power from KMT to DPP with the victory of Chen Shui-Bian as the first non-KMT president in Taiwanese history in 2000, and the second being the transfer of power back to KMT hands with the victory of Ma Ying-Jeou in 2008.
Chicken or Egg?
The recent murder case of a four year old girl in Taiwan has brought the capital punishment debate back on stage. It seems that such ethical debates only seem to appear in the case of “shocking” news that provides opportunities for sensationalist journalism. As mass media rides the wave of clickbait streaming into their sites, the phony argumentation only proves to breed generation of nonchalant and passive individuals. We might consider the role of the media in the debate.
There Will Be Blood: Taiwan’s Rancorous Discourse On Capital Punishment
The ghastly random killing of a four-year-old girl in Neihu, Taipei on Monday has garnered widespread attention, nationally and internationally. What has almost simultaneously been triggered is a reinvigoration of the debate over the abolition of capital punishment in Taiwan. However, it is to be noted that this is hardly a real exchange of ideas, even by the standard of the Wild West that is the Internet, but more like a campaign of persecution against social activists who advocate the abolition of death penalty.
Hung Hsiu-Chu Strikes Back
Hung Hsiu-Chu, former KMT presidential candidate, was elected party chairperson of the KMT this past Saturday. Hung’s victory was expected, seeing she was the frontrunner of the candidates running for party chairperson. But will Hung Hsiu-Chu be able to turn the KMT around? Probably not.
何天夏・彼得森對於紐約亞裔警官梁彼得槍殺一案的公開信
阿凱・歌利遭紐約亞裔警官梁彼得槍殺一案，在美籍亞裔社群內有許多討論。何天夏・彼得森是阿凱・歌利的阿姨，破土在此刊出關於此案她所寫的公開信。
Open Letter from Hertencia Petersen Regarding Peter Liang
New Bloom presents an open letter from Hertencia Petersen, the aunt of Akai Gurley, regarding Gurley’s killing by Chinese-American NYPD officer Peter Liang, which has been much discussed in the Asian-American community.
What Do Recent Shifts in Taiwanese Identification Mean?
If recent polling from the United Daily News have indicated a significant increase in Taiwanese identification, probably this should not come as a surprise to anyone who has been keeping track of politics in Taiwan in the last year. What is a surprise, seemingly indicative of the probable accuracy of this polling, is that the results of this poll come from the pro-China and pro-KMT leaning press of the United Daily News. And it is that those who have not been attentive to Taiwanese politics in the last year are still playing catch-up regarding these recent shifts in identification. We might take a closer examination.
Lu Su-ling’s Political and Legal Gaffes
DPP Legislator Lu Su-ling was ridiculed online last week for what was reported by the mainstream media as her confusion between the Ministry of National Defense with the National Security Bureau in the Legislative Yuan. During her questioning session with NSB Director-General Yang Kuo-chiang, her inquiries about the illegal military police search and seizure incident was repeatedly met with denials of jurisdiction, as the military police is under the MND and not the NSB. The media took Yang’s side and due to the way the story was framed, netizens immediately raised their pitchforks against her. Though Lu explained her reasoning on Facebook later—saying she understood the difference between the MND and NSB but believed NSB also has the power over this matter—it was too little too late.
Taiwan and India
On the surface, it would appear that Taiwan and India share very little in common; although their governments both espouse democratic principles and invest heavily in the technology and telecommunications industries, they come from vastly different cultural and linguistic backgrounds and have not had a particularly long or noteworthy period of friendship or exchange. But could the rise of South Asia lead to a new direction in Taiwanese foreign policy?
The Sino-Thai Rail: Conveying of Chinese Hegemony?
Infrastructure development projects in Laos set a precedent for what may happen to Thailand in the future. Namely, China lends a helping hand to Thailand at the cost of Thai sovereignty.
318 Two Years On
Looking back on the Sunflower Movement two years later, what can we say? It is, of course, that in some sense the sea-change in Taiwanese politics we have seen in past 2016 elections and nine-in-one elections began with the Sunflower Movement. But what remains to be done?
Why The Ban on Depictions of Homosexuality in Chinese Media And Silence from Critical Voices?
The latest sign of increasing restrictions on media in Xi Jinping’s China would appear to be the recent ban on depictions of homosexuality on television, along with depictions of underage relationships, one night stands, and extramarital affairs. Why is there such interest in regulating sexuality in contemporary China?
國民黨真倒了嗎？軟禁在China體制裡的Taiwan命運
2016大選的戲劇性結果，或真讓台灣社會誤以為「國民黨倒了」、「台灣已是獨立的民主國家了」，若從國際上對「台灣」是否為獨立國家的態度進行檢視，結果肯定又是冷水一頭。台灣的多數住民都樂於支持「我們」能進一步成為主權獨立的國家───問題是「我們」是誰？Republic of China？Chinese Taipei？「我們」的本名不是Taiwan嗎？
Mass Mining Workers’ Demonstration in Heilongjiang Coal Mine Town
Tens of thousands of mining workers in Shuangyashan city of Heilongjiang province in China have clashed with the police after four days of demonstrations, demanding the state-owned mining company to distribute wages owed to workers.
The Chinese New Left: Anti-Capitalist Within China, Imperialist Outside of China?
If the New Left’s nationalism trumps Leftism, it is because of the New Left’s view that the China model, however flawed, is still superior to the West. It is such that the New Left suggests that the China model can and should be exported outside of China, hence where they become apologists for Chinese imperialism.
What is the Chinese New Left?: Between Leftism and Nationalism?
Perhaps one of the most significant intellectual formations operating in today’s world, China’s New Left arose in the 1990s in opposition to the turn of China away from a centrally planned economy and a return to free market principles after the Deng Xiaoping period. More broadly, the New Left project emphasizes the growing disparities between rural and urban areas in post-Deng China, the sacrifice of principles of equality in order to drive toward development, and calls for a critical revaluation of China’s Maoist legacy in light of China’s present—inclusive of the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution.
The Keelung Massacre: The Day the KMT Occupied Taiwan
Last year, for the first time since 1947, the city government of Keelung planned a memorial with NGO groups to hold a memorial service for the Keelung Massacre which occurred on March 8, 1947, several days after the nation slipped into chaos over the 228 Massacre. The Keelung Massacre is less well-known than the 228 Massacre, but is among the major crimes committed by the KMT, or rather, the Republic of China government which was synonymous with the KMT at the time.
我們該怎樣看待 Peter 梁 的案子？
實務上，我們不應該只停留在每個警察都要負責的口號，我們該更積極的討論警察政策。我們該與 #釋放梁警官的支持者一同質疑巡邏策略。我們應該更懷疑警察工會是否有提供梁足夠的法律資源。我們甚至要問清楚警察學校沒有教好警察怎麼做 CPR。當我們不再忽視，而聆聽 #釋放梁警官的抗議者時，我們可能有機會繼續對話。或許，我們可以與他們一同反省警察該如何執法、保護人民。我們也該說服朋友們「刑事法改革」的重要性。
Perhaps There’s A Third Narrative on the Death of Akai Gurley and Conviction of Peter Liang
Instead of stopping at “Let’s hold police officers accountable,” we should be more vocal about policing. We should try to draw connections with the #freeliang camp on questioning policing techniques. We could be critical about the legal resources Liang has from the police as an Asian-American. We could be angry about why police academy does not train police in CPR very well. Then when we listen to, rather than dismiss, the anger from the #freeliang protesters, perhaps there’s chance to keep the dialogue going.
從葉宜津到余宛如，從人口危機到性別危機──談幼托政策
討論社會政策脈絡時，社會問題的提出是討論社會政策的第一步。解決台灣當前面對嚴重的生育率過低人口問題與性別不平等問題中，托育政策扮演重要的角色。立法院開議不到一個月，葉宜津委員的兒少津貼與余宛如委員的立院友善托育環境主張，讓幼托政策的重要性再次浮上檯面。
什麼是中國「新左派」：介於左派思想與民族主義之間？
中國的新左派可說是當代世界中最重要的知識分子群體之一，他們在 1990 年代因為反對中國在鄧小平時代過後放棄計畫經濟，轉向自由市場原理而竄起。更大程度上，新左派的研究課題著重於後鄧小平時期城鄉差距的持續擴大，以及為求發展而犧牲平等原則，並呼籲對毛澤東時代的遺產進行批判性再評價以回應當前局勢，其中包括大躍進和文化大革命。
Peter Liang in China
Probably one of the stranger afterlives of the Peter Liang case would be the case having taken on a life of its own in China. We might examine responses from Chinese state-run media in relation to the broader political context of China.
What Would Transitional Justice in Taiwan Mean?
Why the need for transitional justice in Taiwan, anyway? Is it not that Taiwan is already “post-authoritarian”? Certainly, that would be what much of western commentary regarding Taiwan assumes, that Taiwan is unequivocally “post-authoritarian”. But the paradoxes of so-called Taiwanese democracy are many and the crimes of the authoritarian period have not been settled.
The 228 Massacre, The New Legislature, and Unresolved Issues of Transitional Justice in Taiwan
Transitional justice is a term increasingly used among Taiwanese since the explosion of civic awareness after the Sunflower movement. In the new political scene after the January 16th elections, calls for transitional justice are ever louder and bolder, as the new legislature is thought to be more capable of exerting political force regarding the issue of transitional justice.
誰出賣了台灣？
值得一提的是，偶爾也有人嘗試著要讓美國人認識二二八事件，就好像它只不過是他們應當知道的另一個國家的歷史創傷，好讓他們對台灣人民無人聞問的苦難更多一些理解。但卻沒有人要求美國人必須知道，更不用說由於美國自己在二二八事件中的罪責，它也該負起一部分責任。美國為了扶植蔣介石對抗中國共產政權，當然極力掩蓋他在戒嚴時期的威權統治與暴力鎮壓。這正是美國無視二二八屠殺的理由。
Accusations of Fascism Against Hong Kong from the Pro-Unification Left?
Recent attempts to claim the Mong Kok riots were fascistic are just the pro-unification Left up to its old tricks. One suspects that they lack any real sense of what fascism is. Instead, as members of the pro-unification Left in Hong Kong or Taiwan do quite frequently, at the core, anything which resists China is deemed to be “fascistic” or “populist” in their eyes.
Lee Teng-Hui, Tsai Ing-Wen, and Questions About the ROC Framework
Lee Teng-Hui recently drew fire for calling for the localization and Taiwanization of the Republic of China, but claiming that there is no explicit need for Taiwanese independence in a recently published book. Do we see shifts in the discourse about independence/unification as reflected in Lee’s statements? And can we relate this to Tsai Ing-Wen’s political position about preserving the ROC framework? Namely, some of Tsai’s current platforms seem reminiscent of Lee’s past policies.
The Peter Liang Trial and Questions of Race and Politics in America
The past week has seen rallies across the country in protest of the arraignment of NYPD officer Peter Liang on charges of manslaughter and official misconduct. Liang, a Chinese-American police officer, shot and killed 28-year-old Akai Gurley in the dark stairwell of a Brooklyn housing project when his drawn gun went off. However, the Liang verdict has been divisive of the Asian-American community, raising broader issues of racial justice in the United States. We might examine and engage with some of the issues at hand.
梁警員與「華裔族群團結」背後的種族爭鬥：少數族群典範與反黑情結
從 2014 年十一月起，紐約華裔警察 Peter Liang （梁彼得）槍殺非裔 Akai Gurley 的事件，與 Ferguson 在美國鬧成的軒然大波，分裂了美國的亞裔社群。在美國主流媒體報導中，Liang-Gurley 的事件被視為整個 Black Lives Matter 運動中的一個小插曲，差別只在於 Peter Liang 成為第一位因射殺未持有槍械且未犯法的非裔人士而被法律懲處的警察，至於其他白人警察，比如發生於 Liang-Gurley 事件之前的兩起：勒斃 Eric Garner 的 Dan Pantaleo 與射殺 Mike Brown 的 Darren Wilson，都未被大陪審團要求起訴。
梁警員的判刑結果引起華裔社群的憤怒和不滿，也在去年與上週末（2/20）相繼舉辦了三次跨州的盛大遊行。各大華語媒體多數讚賞全美四十個城市的集會為「華裔在美國史上最大的示威遊行」，並認為華裔終於可以擺脫「少數族群典範」（Model Minority）的包袱，拒絕成為「啞裔」，為自己的權利發聲。弔詭的是，此次華裔集會運動的訴求：撤銷 Liang 警員刑責，絕非一件依照「種族正義」而生的行為，卻是迎合了白人優越主義下，維護國家警察執法正當性，與少數族群典範「反黑情結」（Anti-Blackness）的族群分裂思維。撤銷梁刑責背後的邏輯，即是：若是那些白人警察可以免於他們殺害非裔的罪行，為何身為亞裔不行？
Will China’s Upcoming Ban on Foreign Press Backfire?
In a year which has already seen unprecedented crackdowns on the press, China recently announced a ban on foreign media publishing online in China. The ban was announced on February 14th and is set to take effect starting from next month.
A Game of Thrones?
Factional conflict continues within the KMT, with the struggle for party chairmanship. In a surprise turn, we now see two women struggling for chairmanship, namely Huang Min-Hui and Hung Hsiu-Chu. What does this tell us about factional conflict within the KMT?
Seeds: Japanese Volunteers at the Tainan Earthquake Site
On February 13th, at the Tainan earthquake disaster site, I saw about 20 Japanese volunteers wearing Taiwan Presbyterian Church vests with Japanese flags displayed on their clothes or badges. In the supply section, the Japanese volunteers outnumbered the Taiwanese volunteers. I spoke to a few of them, and the common sentiment among the Japanese volunteers was that the felt compelled to help with the rescue effort, since Taiwan donated the most money out of all the nations in the aftermath of 3.11 earthquake that ravaged Japan back in 2011.
籽：在維冠大樓災區的日本志工
二月十三日，維冠大樓災區，我看見大約二十位身穿台灣長老教會背心，在衣服或吊牌上別著日本國旗的志工。物資站裡，日本籍志工人數也比台灣籍的還多。我與其中幾位交流以後發現，他們的共同認為幫助台灣救災是極其重要的事，尤其是日本311地震時，臺灣捐贈的金額是所有捐款國家中最多的。現居於台南的職業撞球選手–北山亞紀子 (Akiko Kitayama) 表示”當人們遭遇困難時，我們就要伸出援手。即使彼此互不相識，你也會幫助。更何況現在是有恩於我們的人們，當然要幫忙。日本與臺灣將會成為永遠的摯友。”
Seeds: Notes from Earthquake Relief Efforts At the Site of the Disaster on February 12th
The relief workers and volunteers came from all over Taiwan. Some came from as far as Japan and Korea. Many had not slept for days. Some slept on the floor. One could easily fall asleep due to exhaustion. Survivors had not been found for more than a day. At around 2 AM, we heard that a survivor was found. Everyone was emotional and many cried. We eventually found out that the information was wrong, but a puppy was rescued. Christians. Daoists. Buddhists. Police officers. Firefighters. Rescue workers. Nurses. Volunteers. Monks. Activists. Soldiers. All working, resting, or standing by.
籽：維冠大樓。筆記，二月十二號，地震7天後。
工作人員與志工從臺灣各地來，也有遠從日本與韓國來的志工。很多人已經幾天沒睡，有人睡在地上，因為很累，坐著很容易睡著。已經一天沒找到生還者。在凌晨兩點，我們聽到救到人了，大家激動了起來，也有人哭了。但，後來發現是錯誤消息。當天沒找到生還者，可是有救了一隻小狗。基督徒、道教徒、佛教徒、警察、消防人員、急救人員、護士、志工、僧侶、社運人士、士兵。大家都在工作、休息或準備。
What Are the Questions We Should Be Asking After the Tainan Earthquake?
What are we to make of the Tainan earthquake, six days later? The disaster has been an object of public spectacle in international media, with the human drama of searching for survivors in the some 12 buildings that collapsed during the earthquake. But can we also point to manmade, structural causes to the Tainan earthquake disaster rather than simply natural ones?
What Was The Fishball Revolution About?
Over 60 were arrested and over 120 were injured during the riot which broke out Monday in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. But the so-called “Fishball Revolution” was hardly about just fishballs, or even food hawkers. What was it that led up to Monday’s events? And what does this mean for Hong Kong going forward? Will this be, as some have claimed, the beginning of a year of resistance?
China’s Recent Attempts to Crack Down on Press Freedoms
With critics of wrongdoing in China increasingly disappearing, who is it that will dare speak out against China in the future? No one, nowhere seems off limits anymore. Present events trace back to the disappearance of five booksellers from Hong Kong, who worked in a bookstore that sold books banned in China. But we can point to a renewed offensive on press freedom in China, including renewed attempts at “Media Monopoly” and crackdowns on foreign journalists.
‘Open Data = Transparency?’: Ma’s Ludicrous Statement on Open Data
Recently, President Ma Ying-jeou has made a number of erroneous statements about open data, claiming that Taiwan’s number-one ranking on the Open Knowledge Foundation’s open data index is proof of his administration’s overall transparency. In response, Billy Lin, a prominent member of the civic-tech community “g0v” wrote an editorial response to Taiwan’s Apple Daily editorial board. We have translated the original editorial with the author’s permission.
Calls for Reform by Young People Within the KMT?
As the quip often goes, the KMT no longer has young people within the party. This would be another factor behind the crisis of the KMT, with the party’s actions in recent years having alienated much of Taiwan’s young. This has been a product of the KMT’s attempts to draw Taiwan too close to China than many find comfortable or on the basis of perceived corruption through the KMT’s sizable party assets or KMT politicians who have made themselves wealthy through using their political connections. But, surprisingly, there are some young people within the KMT calling for internal reform.
Why Would Ma Ying-Jeou Visit Taiping Island?
A recent visit by Taiwanese president Ma Ying-Jeou to disputed island of Itu Aba, also known as Taiping Island, has made waves because of the potential to incite territorial disputes over islands in the South China Seas. Itu Aba is the largest of the Spratly Islands chain. Is it that Ma’s actions here, seemingly illogical in nature, are wholly motivated by KMT ideology?
Why are Students at Hong Kong University On Strike?
Students at the University of Hong Kong are on strike, with demonstration against the appointment of Arthur Li as head of HKU’s governing Council. Demonstrations have included struggles with the police during an incident last night in which students surrounded a meeting of the Council chaired by Li. There are unconfirmed reports that pepper spray was used during these demonstrations. The student strike is scheduled to last the week.
The Issue of Comfort Women and the Formation of an East Asian Bloc
The December 28 agreement reached between the governments of Japan and South Korea on the issue of comfort women, sees the Japanese government willing to offer the victims a compensation of 1 billion yen in a fund stated to be set up to help restore their dignity and repair their psychological wounds. The intentions behind the sudden close of this historically contentious issue, as well as the implications such a deal has for the international politics of the Asia-Pacific region, however, have fallen under criticism by several parties, among them Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China.
2016 Taiwan Elections in Public Dialogue on BBC Thai
2016 elections in Taiwan drew attention in Thailand even from the first announcement. Interestingly, in Thai cyberspace, netizens converse about Taiwan politics in relation to the current Thai politics. The Facebook fanpage of BBC Thai, resuming service since the military coup in 2014, often serves a productive space for discussion. The page posted a number of threads following the unofficial Taiwanese presidential result which indicated that Tsai would be going to win. As expected, netizens posted comments which reflected not simply their attitude towards Taiwan, but towards Thailand as well.
From the KMT’s ’1992 Consensus’ to the DPP’s ’Spirit of the 1992 Consensus’?
Recent comments by current DPP general-secretary Joseph Wu recently stirred waves. Wu stated the incoming DPP government under Tsai Ing-Wen will preserve the spirit of cooperation of the 1992 Consensus. What is surprising about Wu’s comments is that the DPP has in the past never acknowledged the existence of the 1992 Consensus.
In Taiwan, Dreams Change
Last week’s monumental elections represent a major historical moment for Taiwan: the nation’s first female president, the first majority in parliament for the democratic opposition, and a broad outpouring of civic engagement that shows democracy is alive and well. The striking results have come about not only because of “regular” rumblings of economic discontent or the “traditional cleavages” of identity politics. More importantly, the narrative of Taiwanese society has changed, redrawing the bounds for what is possible, and revealing novel sources of inspiration.
Mass Cyber-Trolling and Cross-Strait Relations
On January 20th, 7 PM, Taipei time, a massive wave of Facebook traffic sourced to China began to systematically “attack” any and all politicians, public figures, and media outlets that were identified as pro-Taiwanese independence. Instantly filling the comment section of these Facebook pages with pro-China patriotic sentiments, images, and arguments against all pro-independence comments, all of which procured “likes” in the thousands to allow them to be the “top” comments of the posts they attacked.
What To Do With The KMT’s Party Assets?
What to do with the KMT’s party assets? This has been a question which has persisted from the first DPP administration under Chen Shui-Bian up until the present. And that no satisfactory method of resolving the question of what do about KMT party assets reflects that there is still no satisfactory answer of how to resolve questions of lingering authoritarianism by the KMT.
Implementing a Criminal Jury Trial System in Taiwan
Tsai Ing-wen’s judicial reform platform stresses citizen participation in the judiciary through jury trials. What does this mean for judicial reform in Taiwan?
The Chou Tzuyu Incident and Entertainment as a Site of Conflict About National Identity
A video of 16-year-old Taiwanese K-pop performer Chou Tzuyu unexpectedly went viral in Taiwan the day before 2016 presidential elections. In the video, Chou apologized for a previous online video in which Chou held the flag of the Republic of China—the name by which Taiwan is internationally known. In the video, Chou apologized for her transgressions, stressed that she was Chinese as well as the unity of a singular China. The video was released on January 15th, the day before 2016 presidential elections in Taiwan on January 16th.
How Will the US and China React to a Tsai Presidency?
How are we to understand Chinese and American reactions to Tsai Ing-Wen’s election as president of Taiwan? Is it that America will perceive Tsai as a dangerous pro-independence ideologue? And despite its invectives against Tsai, does China really perceive Tsai as bent on Taiwanese independence?
Tsai and the Sunflower Generation
Can we trace the victory of Tsai Ing-Wen for president and the overwhelming victory of the DPP in legislature back to the Sunflower Movement? Both yes and no. Tsai invoked the abstract idealism of the Sunflower generation in her campaign quite often, but where the views of civil society can sometimes be inchoate or not totally thought out, this offered a convenient way of masking Tsai’s own lack of concrete policy. Yet if Tsai then turns her back on what youth activists of the Sunflower generation stand for, they would understandably feel betrayed.
The Fall of the KMT?
The recent defeat of the KMT was unprecedented, seeing as the KMT has never lost control of the legislature, if the KMT lost control of the presidency during the eight years of Chen Shui-Bian’s presidency. Now it has lost both the presidency and legislature. And the KMT remains only in control of 35 out 113 legislative seats and six out of twenty-two of Taiwan’s counties and cities. What will happen now with the KMT? Maybe, as Nietzsche said, when you see something about to fall, you should give it a push.
Is the Narrative About Taiwan Changing After Tsai Ing-Wen’s Presidential Victory?
Is the narrative about Taiwan changing after Tsai Ing-Wen’s presidential victory? We might note that, to date, there have at least not been very many foreboding warnings about Tsai guiding Taiwan in the direction of Taiwanese-independence and possibly provoking cross-strait conflict. Rather, news coverage to date has focused largely on Tsai as the first female president of Taiwan, that Tsai pledges to maintain cross-straits stability and is an unorthodox politician, a “female academic who loves cats and supports gay rights” as the title of a recent article stated.
Who are the Winners and Losers of 2016 Elections in Legislature?
If most international attention has focused on Tsai Ing-Wen’s victory over Eric Chu in presidential elections, who were the winners and losers of legislative elections? Does the overwhelming victory of the DPP over the KMT and the unexpected successes of the New Power Party foretell future trends in Taiwanese electoral politics?
Hard Choices for Tsai on Foreign Affairs
It is time to start looking ahead to the impact that the Tsai presidency will have upon Taiwan’s international relationships with nations in the Asia Pacific, as well as how her administration will figure into larger geopolitical trends.
What Happens Now That Tsai Ing-Wen Is President?
What should we we expect from a Tsai presidency, now that Tsai Ing-Wen is president of Taiwan? Now may be a time of celebration and rightly so, but perhaps we should not hope for too much?
Last Words on 2016 Elections
When we look back on 2016 elections, will we find that it in the end it was just a choice between Pepsi and Coca-Cola, between two brands, in choosing between the KMT and DPP? Today, on the day of elections, we might think deeply on this fact.
國族霸凌與國旗謊言：周子瑜的蒼白與憔悴
高潞。以用 Kawlo Iyun：為原住民及花東議題發聲的立委候選人
高潞・以用是個以土地權及原住民權益為出發點，進行思考並擬訂對策的候選人。她參政最重要的一個轉捩點，便是2011年，民國100年，她協助成立了Pangcah阿美族守護聯盟，並在土地議題上，做「土地百年戰役」及「愛狗樂園」這兩個事件的抗爭。
蔡與朱政策對比
大選前夕，破土特別為大家整理了蔡英文跟朱立倫的政見，供各位參考。
Policy Comparison Between Tsai Ing-Wen and Eric Chu
The day before elections, New Bloom presents a policy comparison of the policies between Tsai Ing-Wen and Eric Chu. Check it out!
The TPP, RCEP, and the Question of Free Trade Agreements for Taiwan Under a Tsai Presidency
Why is it that Tsai Ing-Wen supports not only joining the American-led TPP but also the China-led RCEP? What would the implications of signing free trade agreements in general be for Taiwan? Seeing as Tsai Ing-Wen will likely be next president of Taiwan, likely it is due time to start discussing Tsai Ing-Wen’s policies on free trade.
Which Way Forward for the Third Force?
The Third Force adopted an electoral strategy which did not seek to directly challenge the DPP. But despite some parties vowing to avoid cooperation with the DPP, in the end this happened. What does this mean for the Third Force? Is there the possibility that the Third Force might turn on the DPP in the future?
那些背對我們的男人：五年級與七年級的「世代對立」
總統大選在即，中國國民黨《五年級生》的競選影片，以悲情沈默的中年男人背影道盡五年級生對於青年世代的不滿，以及面臨各方面批判的委屈，似乎刻意勾起台灣經濟成長時的豐功偉業，藉此塑造與年輕族群的世代對立。身為解嚴後的七年級生，雖可體恤當年受兩蔣專政風氣下壓抑成長的上一代，是如何為求生存而保持沈默並服從，但這類炒作出的世代對立論述，說穿了不過是掌權者操作特定年齡層的刻板印象，進而忽略反抗的聲音，與跟著時代不斷改變、接納新文化的人們。競選影片中的中年男人背影，其實並不代表整體五年級的生命經驗，而是深化國民黨那不顧現實推進、深陷於歷史自我感覺良好幽魂的自身縮影，更加凸顯權力階級與普羅大眾的價值落差。
The Last Presidential Debate
The third and final presidential debate, like the first two, was largely a non-event. The debate serves as the last parting shot between the three presidential candidates before election day itself, but the race is not a close enough one that the debate has any way of changing the outcome of the election. Although a Tsai presidency seems all but certain, what Chu and Soong are capable of doing at this point is eroding away Tsai Ing-Wen’s support base. Thus, it may be logical to focus primarily on Tsai’s comments during the debate
Ma Ying-jeou Stickers are Ruining the KMT’s 2016 Election Campaign
A sticker campaign has become the scourge of the KMT, with KMT legislative candidates having already reported dozens of citizens to the police for “defacing” their campaign material with the new stickers. The sticker consists merely of an endorsement from current President Ma Ying-jeou, and from Jennifer Wang, the KMT Vice-presidential candidate. As KMT legislators are facing their toughest re-election battles in Taiwan’s democratic history, KMT legislative candidates are doing everything they can to ensure their victory, including disassociating themselves from Taiwan’s lame-duck president, Ma Ying-jeou, and Eric Chu’s VP choice, Jennifer Wang, who has been embroiled in a housing speculation scandal for over a month.
Lessons for Taiwan 2016 from Hong Kong’s “Umbrella Soldiers”?
Many parallels have been drawn between Taiwan and Hong Kong by individuals have since the 2014 Sunflower and Umbrella Movements. But as we enter 2016 elections in Taiwan, we might draw further parallels between past November local elections in Hong Kong and Taiwan 2016 elections in regard to Taiwan’s “Third Force” and Hong Kong’s “Umbrella Soldiers.” Namely, both phenomena are elements of post-Sunflower movement civil society in Taiwan and post-Umbrella movement civil society in Hong Kong entering electoral politics. Do the “Umbrella Soldiers” offer any lessons for Taiwan’s “Third Force”?
More Empty Rhetoric at the Second Presidential Debate
The second Taiwanese presidential debate took place on Saturday, January 2nd 2016, with Eric Chu, Tsai Ing-Wen, and James Soong once again squaring off, less than two weeks before elections. But, as with the first presidential debate, the occasion was largely an occasion for grandstanding and attacks. Given that a Tsai presidential victory seems all but certain, perhaps it is such that we can understand Chu and Soong’s behavior in the debate.
Three Things Western Commentators Have Missed About the KMT in 2016 Elections
Is Taiwan a “democracy”? Certainly, few would deny that Taiwan is more democratic than it was in the past, as compared to the era of authoritarian rule by the KMT. Nevertheless, much has passed by western commentators in regards to the democratization of Taiwan. It is quite often assumed that post-democratization, the KMT has become a “normal” political party, analogous to any other party functioning in a two-party political system.
Why Has There Been an Upsurge of Labor Demonstrations Before 2016 Elections?
A recent wave of labor protests in Taipei seems to be timed to coincide with 2016 elections. Workers are quite deliberately demonstrating in Taipei before elections, in order to make the public pay attention. Workers’ voices are largely marginalized from mainstream politics—by KMT and DPP alike.
Tsai Ing-Wen and the Long Shadow of Chen Shui-Bian
Even if it may be that Tsai’s victory in the present seems all but inevitable, Tsai faces certain uphill challenges once president. Such challenges ultimately stem from international perceptions of the first DPP presidency under Chen Shui-Bian. The DPP is still seen as a dangerous troublemaker that threatens to disrupt cross-strait relations on the basis of its ideological pro-independence fanaticism on the basis of Chen Shui-Bian’s presidency.
Eric Chu and the Ghost of Ma Ying-Jeou
It is probably already clear that Eric Chu will not be the next president of Taiwan. Thus, rather than fret about the possibility of a Chu presidency which will not come to be, we might concern ourselves with why exactly Eric Chu is running in the present. Because it appears as though Eric Chu does not offer anything substantially different than Ma Ying-Jeou, in spite of the past year’s backlash against Ma’s policies. And there may be a reason for that.
Empty Talk, Bad Rhetoric, Followed By a Social Media War
The two and a half hours of the first presidential candidate debate took place on December 27th. Given that polling shows Eric Chu and James Soong lag far behind Tsai Ing-wen, good faith and a miracle would be needed to assume the debate would turn the tables at all. So, unsurprisingly, this debate was largely empty talk.
Hong Kong’s Sporting Rivalry Turned Political?
Although the display of nationalistic sentiments is not a new concept to the sporting world, recent sports matches in Hong Kong highlight the tense relationship between Hong Kong and China in light of changing political realities. But does this mean that Hong Kong people reject the notion of “Chineseness” in their own identity? We might take a look.
When Heavy Metal Meets Activist Politics
Freddy Lim’s concert held at Freedom Plaza in Taipei on December 26th has drawn international attention on the basis of the unusual nature of a political rally which was, in part, a concert by a heavy metal band. The concert was also to mark the twentieth anniversary of Chthonic. Though Freddy Lim is currently an electoral candidate of the New Power Party, Lim originally rose to fame as frontman of symphonic black metal band Chthonic. We may more broadly view this concert as expressive of the past two year’s development of youth culture, aesthetics, and politics.
2016年總統大選會是台灣抗爭年的盡頭嗎？
倘若過去這一年是一整個世代曾被看作政治冷感的年輕人踏入政治的開端，蔡英文總統任內的台灣青年將在政治上扮演怎樣的角色，則仍是未定之數。我們看到的會是社運青年延續這一年來堅韌的力道？還是社會運動在與蔡英文的蜜月期過後急速消沉？
Will 2016 Elections Be The End of Taiwan’s Year of Protest?
If the past year was the entrance of a generation of young people who had been previously thought to be politically indifferent into politics, it remains to be seen what the political role of Taiwan’s young will be going forward under Tsai’s presidency. Will we see continued resiliency of youth activism as we saw in the past year? Or is it that we will see a precipitous decline in activism once the Tsai honeymoon is over?
The Case of Talum and the Plight of Indigenous Peoples in Taiwan
56-year-old Bunun man Tama Talum, also known as Wang Guanglu, was arrested for hunting with a shotgun to provide meat for his elderly mother. Talum was sentenced by a Taitung district court to three and a half years in prison as well as a fine of 70,000 NTD. The case has seen public demonstrations and criticisms by groups as the Legal Aid Foundation for unduly harsh nature of the ruling. But with the Talum case, we can point to broader issues of the status of indigenous peoples in Taiwan.
The Past Weekend’s Migrant Workers’ Demonstration and Broader Issues of Migrant Workers in Taiwan
The rally for migrant workers’ rights which took place in Taipei this past Sunday points to how the role of migrant workers in Taiwan remains precarious. Yet it is that migrant workers have come to occupy an integral place in Taiwanese society. We might venture an examination.
Is a General Strike in South Korea on the Horizon?
South Korea may be poised on the brink of a general strike, with a general strike called for December 16th. The weekend before last saw demonstrations of tens of thousands, after demonstrations in mid-November which brought over 60,000 onto the streets of Seoul. We can situate current events in South Korea within broader regional trends of labor activism and the actions of resurgent authoritarian governments in East Asia, as we can see with Asia’s past year of protest.
“Taiwan No. 1” Becomes a Symbol of National Pride for Taiwan Gamers
The videos of American streamer Angrypug playing the online game H1Z1 have become a Youtube sensation, clocking in over a million and half views. That a Youtube video about gaming has become such a smash hit in Taiwan should be no surprise to anyone familiar with the island’s obsession with video games. Taiwanese of all ages can be seen on Taipei’s MRT glued to their smart phones, mashing away at their screens. But the popularity of the video among gamers and netizens points to larger issues gaining prominence among the island’s youth. Taiwan’s Sunflower generation is more confident about expressing their identity, and bristles at being grouped nationally and culturally with China.
The Arrest of Guangzhou Labor Activists and the Chinese State’s Defense of Capital
With the recent arrests of Guangzhou labor activists, we see where the authoritarian Chinese state acts in defense of capital, with workers thrown under the bus by a state which nonetheless claims an ideology centered around worker rule. For all talk about the economic and political “rise of China”, is it any mistake that this rise is concurrent with a renewed period of authoritarianism and repression against workers by the Chinese state?
The Past Week of Smog in Beijing and Smog Conditions as an International Problem
Persistent smog in Beijing for the past week has made international news, on account of the Chinese government declaring an “orange” alert for hazardous air pollution. Recently, we also see smog conditions in other parts of Asia, including Taiwan. As a product of polluting factories, perhaps we can more generally point to smog conditions as a problem which stems from unfettered capitalist growth, as a case in which people’s health and livelihood are sacrificed in favor of economic development.
中國進入非洲：具有中國特色的帝國主義？
我們可以留意到，中國的一切論述全都關乎它要和世界其他國家平起平坐的渴望。儘管中國確實應該被肯定為世界強國，可是說穿了，它的目標始終是為了得到和今天的美國同等的世界霸權地位。我們最近從中國在非洲小國吉布地建立軍事基地的行動看到的正是如此。雖然美國目前在全世界 80 個國家中建立了大約 800 個軍事基地，吉布地則是中國第一個海外軍事基地。
Imperialism with Chinese Characteristics?
China’s establishment of its first overseas military base in Djibouti has provoked some anxiety. Is this beginnings of a world-spanning imperialist base-building project by China in the future? Although it is that at present the US has over 800 bases in 80 countries across the world, this will be China’s first overseas military base. Namely, it should not be a surprise if China wishes to become a global superpower, it is compelled in some sense to imitate America.
Recent Food Scandals and Taiwan’s Crony Capitalism Problem
It is the collusion of the primarily KMT politicians with large, powerful corporations that allows for the repeated scandals such as the food scandals we have see in recent years. Namely, it would seem that Taiwan has a crony capitalism problem. Crony capitalism is defined as a form of capitalism in which close relations between businessmen and government officials is what allows for economic success.
China, The End of One Child Policy, and the Demographic Trends of East Asian Capitalism
With the end of one child policy, we might note the slide of China into sociological phenomena which we see in countries which have followed the East Asian developmental model of capitalism. Though there are those who argue that the successes of the so-called “Chinese model” lay precisely in the social structures which have survived from the Maoist era into the present, but now we see that China is apparently facing social ills which result from the uneven overlap of its Maoist past and capitalist present.
The Knight, the Fairy, and the Cult Leader
For those used to election cycles elsewhere, it may be surprising for Taiwan’s political parties to announce their respective vice presidential candidate so late into the 2016 election cycle. Yet, in consideration of that one would have thought the KMT would be more prudent with its choice given that Eric Chu is running at about 19% at the polls compared to Tsai at 45%, we might cross-examine the vice presidential candidates of the DPP, KMT, and PFP—who have been labelled by netizens as the “Knight”, the “Fairy”, and the “Cult Leader” respectively.
韓國最近的示威與這一年來亞洲的抗爭
韓國最近爆發的社會抗爭在台灣社運人士看來不免似曾相識。令人感到似曾相識的，則是促使抗爭者上街示威的議題內容：也就是一個具有威權獨裁經驗的右翼政權，企圖透過新編高中歷史教科書淡化及粉飾罪行。不論在台灣還是在韓國，這些現象都顯示出威權遺緒陰魂不散，即使國際社會今天多半已經認定台韓兩國屬於民主國家。
The Power of Anti-Ma Ying-jeou and KMT Facebook Fan Pages
KMT Legislator Lu Shiow-yen’s remarks comparing violence in France and Syria to cross-strait relations has incurred the wrath of Taiwan’s powerful Anti-President Ma and Anti-KMT Facebook fan pages.
Current Demonstrations in South Korea and Asia’s Past Year of Protests
Current protests in South Korea cannot help but appear familiar for Taiwanese activists, with between 60,000 to 130,000 South Koreans taking to the streets to demonstrate the Park Geun-hye government on Saturday. What strikes as reminiscent are the set of issues motivating protestors to demonstrate; namely, a right-wing government with an authoritarian past seeking to whitewash its crimes through new high school textbooks. But Asia’s past year seems to have been a year of protest. And we see this now in South Korea. Are there deeper causes?
The “Subway Racist” Viral Video and Questions of the “Other” in Taiwan
How might we look at the recent “subway racist’ viral video critically through the lens of race? We might focus on two aspects of the incident. First, the contradictory statements of the “subway racist” himself, are worthy of discussion. Second, we might discuss the responses to the event by the Taiwanese public, expats living in Taiwan, and international responses.
After the Ma-Xi Meeting, Do You Still Think Taiwan Is Under the ROC Framework?
Many Taiwanese finally realize that they have been tricked into the frame of ROC. Let’s put the “1992 Consensus” or the upcoming “2015 Consensus” aside. Despite that Taiwanese has been fighting against KMT since 1945, when they shifted the ROC to Taiwan, Taiwanese ultimately accepted this regime till now.
From Regional to National Movement: The Thailand Democracy Movement in Isan
Though less discussed as other student movements of the past year in Asia as the Sunflower Movement and Umbrella Movement, we might look at the student activists of Thailand’s democracy movement. Dao Din is a circle of law students whose initial mission was to help locals protect the environment. Since then, Dao Din has expanded into demonstrating the military junta which seized power in the 2014 coup.
Singles’ Day and the Commercialization of Holidays
While we marvel at the rampancy of consumerism during Singles’ Day, it is useful for us to reflect on the reason for the existence of commercialized holidays as one of the warning signs of capitalism’s crisis of overproduction. Here, we might work with a starting point of the Marxist observation of overproduction of goods under capitalist mode of production, the need for creation of demand through a variety of means, and the invention of commercialized holidays as an advertising method.
Is No News Good News?
To what extent does the international media have a responsibility to report beyond the official line of the “progress” and “stability” and fairly represent the polarized and confrontational opinions finding expression within the debate amongst the political active elements of Taiwanese civil society?
Facebook Suddenly Unblocked in China, Tsai Ing-Wen’s Facebook Page Flooded by ‘Fifty Cent Army’
After sudden unblocking of Facebook in China for a day, DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-Wen’s Facebook page was flooded by posts attacking Tsai or claiming that Taiwan is part of China. In response, Tsai Ing-Wen released an image on her Facebook pointing to where such users were coming from and “welcoming” Chinese users to democracy. What does this reveal about politics and the Internet in the present?
其實非關台灣，只和習近平有關
我們花了太多心思從台灣大選觀點探討馬習會了。倘若馬習會真是為了搶救國民黨選情，那麼兩人對談時至少應該提及朱立倫或是有所暗示，但根本沒人提到他。倘若這次會面是為了把蔡英文固定在專指一個中國的「現狀」之中，台灣人民卻也沒有要求她做出甚麼有力回應。因此，這場馬習會恐怕不是為了幫助馬英九和台灣的國民黨，它大概是為了幫助習近平確立他目前對中國和全世界的影響力，並且在國際社會進一步孤立台灣而舉行的。
馬習會後，你還在以為台灣就等於中華民國嗎？
馬英九的作為不但不是「賣國」，甚至可以說是中華民國憲法最佳的捍衛者。畢竟，這部憲法所預設的，就是所謂「大陸地區」與「自由地區」的台灣兩者終極統一，馬英九只是照著憲法所寫的去做罷了。所以，無論馬英九對中華民國憲法的表態是不允許「一中一台」，或是「九二共識」的「一中各表」只剩下「一中」（One China Principle）而獨漏「各表」的實際內涵；就算有「各表」，也只敢在台灣對內說。不過這些都不再是重點了，因為「各表」的中華民國也不過是一個舊中國政權。然而，這個舊中國政權現在卻是實際上統治著台灣，而在國際上仍欲代表著「中國」，隨時可以跟「大陸地區」接軌的 ROC，Republic of China。
破除馬習會的「一中各表」：原住民族獨立
基於歷史事實，台灣原住民族本身就是台灣主權的主體。只要用「台灣原住民族獨立」（原獨）的視角檢視中華民國主權，就可理解馬英九高喊「九二共識，一中各表」的時候，就是在喧賓奪主。馬的舉動在「台灣原住民族」看來完全是「越權」行為，原住民族祖先們守護千年以上的土地，其固有主權不容中華民國政權攘竊。面對馬習會，主張「原住民族獨立」才是有效捍衛台灣主權的方式。
It’s Not About Taiwan, It’s All About Xi
We analyze too much from the point of view of the elections. If this meeting meant to salvage the election, then Eric Chu at the very least should have been brought into the conversation or hinted at, but he was nowhere to be seen. If this meeting meant to lock Tsai Ing-wen into committing to a status quo referring to One China, Taiwanese did not demand much answers from her. Therefore, it might be that this meeting was not meant to help Ma and the KMT in Taiwan. Maybe it is meant to help Xi secure his present influence in both China and the world, and to further isolate Taiwan from the international community.
馬習會之後，「維持現狀」何去何從─2016 大選是解藥嗎？
馬習會後，蔡英文公開呼籲選民用選票來表達對馬習會的意見，她認為馬英九是不民主的，唯一能制裁馬英九的方式就是透過民主程序，她說：「馬總統的說法，已經逐漸悖離了台灣的現狀，無法代表台灣的主流民意。能夠決定台灣未來、決定兩岸關係發展的，只有明年 1 月 16 日的新民意……..我們有很多表達不滿的方式，但最有力量的方式，就是在明年 1 月 16 日，用選票換掉這個政權。」然而，2016 大選真的能夠表達台灣人民對馬習會的憤怒嗎？真的能夠維護台灣在兩岸關係中的尊嚴嗎？恐怕未必。如果我們沒有積極面對台灣的國家框架問題，只是將票投給蔡英文，並不會改變馬習會造成的兩岸局勢。
Article on Impeaching President before Ma-Xi Summit Censored
As news reports and analysis of the Ma-Xi meeting were flooding news networks around the world, a story about the loss of freedom of speech for one Taiwanese law scholar was being shared wildly on Taiwanese Facebook feeds. A column published on Taiwan’s Commonwealth Magazine’s Opinion web page written by Cheng-yi Huang was taken down by site administrators, citing a need for society to “strictly and fully understand the Ma-Xi meeting”. Huang’s article, titled “The Legislative Yuan should impeach the President immediately”, offered a scathing critique of Ma’s plan to meet with China President Xi Jinping without first briefing Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan about the matter and advised Taiwanese legislators to begin impeachment proceedings in order to stop Ma from going through with the meeting.
Before the Ma-Xi Summit, Did Commonwealth Magazine “Harmonize” my Article?
Because a lot of my friends have asked me, how come we can’t see your article “Should the Legislative Yuan promptly impeach Ma Ying-jeou?” on “Opinions@Commonwealth”, I simply had to make an explanation.
The Legislative Yuan Should Impeach President Ma Immediately
President Ma’s reckless political behavior has already violated his pledge of “observ[ing] the constitution [and] faithfully perform[ing] my duties”, and has reached the level where impeachment proceedings should take place.
世紀馬習會，為會選在新加坡？
自台灣邁向民主以來，新加坡對於馬英九遠比對其他台灣政治人物友善多了。更重要的是，要進行這樣高度敏感的政治會面，新加坡提供了絕佳的政治場域，因為中國若要在一個他們宣稱擁有主權的土地上面對當地的抗議，一定會掛不住面子。習近平一定會很滿意，因為這會是有史以來最沒有人鬧場、最沒有人反對的兩岸會談。這也就是新加坡肩負兩岸交流使命的重要歷史定位，使得新加坡成為進行這類會談的關鍵場域。上次如此重大的會談發生在1993年，那場會談終結了蔣經國的「不接觸、不談判、不妥協」三不政策。這次在新加坡的會面，是否又會終結馬英九的「不統、不獨、不武」新三不政策呢？
The Ma-Xi Meeting of the Century: Why on Singaporean Grounds?
There are, in fact, crucial reasons as to why the planned location for the Ma-Xi summit is in Singapore. We might take a look. Namely, Singapore provides the perfect political climate for a highly sensitive political meeting, given its own internal authoritarianism. And Singapore occupies a particular relationship with regard to China, the KMT, and current Taiwanese president Ma Ying-Jeou.
The Taipei Pride Parade: Not Yet a ‘Gay Utopia’?
The gay pride parade which is held yearly in Taipei took place this past Saturday. We might use the occasion to more broadly look at the current state of LGBTQ politics in Taiwan. Perhaps it is that Taiwan is still far from being the “gay utopia” it is sometimes touted as being relative to other Asian countries.
Ma Ying-Jeou’s Ghost
As the saying goes: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” So if it is that through Chu replacing Hung Hsiu-Chu would reflect that the KMT still retains the ability to adapt—to take emergency measures in order to save itself at a moment of crisis when it looks like the KMT may be on its way out of Taiwanese politics for good—it is that Hung was the exception to the rule as an outlier political candidate and Chu reflects a return to normalcy. In this sense, it may be that Eric Chu is little more than Ma Ying-Jeou’s ghost.
Youth Politics in Hong Kong and Taiwan
For those of us who lived through the Sunflower Movement and its aftermath, Joshua Wong’s announcement of his intent to run for legislator in Hong Kong would strike as eerily familiar. Where drawing parallels and comparisons may be useful, it is to allow Hong Kong activists to better understand themselves through comparison to Taiwan and Taiwanese activists to better understand themselves through comparison to Hong Kong activists. We might compare and contrast the phenomenon of young activists entering electoral politics and general attitudes towards youth activism in both locations.
Is Fault For the KMT’s Debacle Not With Hung But the Leadership of the KMT’s “Non-Taiwanese” Leaders?
What made Hung look weak as a presidential candidate was not only her pursuit of a radical hardline position regarding cross-strait relations, but the fact that she was pushed out into the limelight because nobody in the KMT wanted to shoulder the political responsibility. It was such that the presidential campaign fell to her. If Hung’s campaign highlighted the KMT’s failures, the KMT fails entirely as a party hardly because of a one woman’s doing. We might venture an examination.
Unwelcome Chinese and Southeast Asian Immigrants
On October 5th, mainstream media outlets reported on a Chinese woman carrying her child who was defecating in front of Burberry on the streets of Oxford, England. The picture would become widely circulated on Twitter in the UK. Defecating in front of a branded boutique seems to contrast with the “rise of China” and economic prosperity; where even if the wealth accumulated in China has allowed the middle class to enjoy the life of luxury, within this discourse, it would be suggested they have not yet achieved the level of Western civilization. This is a means by which colonial discourse and discrimination against the Chinese finds new forms of expression in the age of globalization.
開往南方的慢船：「新」「舊」南向政策與菲律賓
面對台灣政經發展的十字路口，蔡英文「新南向政策」確實有義務整合馬政府時期對泰、越等國的教育、文化合作，並帶領國民對東南亞文化有更深的理解。民間東南亞相關的創業如「望間書店」、「四方報」、「移工商學院」等，有些已起跑多年，有些則是新進成立，亟待政府補助或推廣，讓更多台灣人對東南亞鄰居們有深入的認識，進而擺脫固有的成見。我想這是讓蔡英文「新南向政策」擺脫過去「南向政策」上頭熱，下頭冷弊病的必要工作。從單純鼓勵台商轉赴東南亞投資，到從教育著手，增加國內教育與東南亞各國相關的內容，增設東南亞語言學系──這是個從「中華天朝帝國」轉為海洋貿易國家應該有的態度。台灣「東北亞式」的視野侷限了我們的東亞觀，何時我們才要正視──其實我們也是「東南亞之北」呢？
When Tsai Goes to Japan
Tsai Ing-Wen’s recent trip to Japan would seem to mark the second of trips abroad by Tsai in the lead up to 2016 presidential elections. The first, of course, was Tsai’s visit to the United States in June. We can point to the obvious foreign policy implications of both trips. Tsai’s visit to the United States was aimed at building better ties with America in order to shore up relations with America in order to counter the threat of China. But what political forces would it be that Tsai is seeking to ally herself with in Japan?
Is the KMT Devouring Itself?
Is the bizarre spectacle of KMT members demonstrating in front of KMT headquarters this past Wednesday revealing of new and significant splits within the KMT? The demonstration was about current internal machinations within the KMT to replace current presidential candidate Hung Hsiu-Chu with current KMT chairman Eric Chu. This last minute turnabout would contravene the KMT constitution, thus requiring amendment of the constitution, and it is still a last minute upset that a plan to replace Hung would in fact be launched. This may be indicative of significant rupture within the KMT establishment if, as evidenced in the demonstration outside KMT headquarters, we are to judge by what forces have arrayed themselves behind Hung.
Tsai Ing-Wen, Hung Hsiu-Chu, and the Confucian Discourse of the Family and the State in Taiwan
People First Party presidential candidate James Soong would recently draw controversy after a campaign ad lashing out at DPP and KMT presidential candidates Tsai Ing-Wen and Hung Hsiu-Chu. The ad, which featured the slogan: “How can two single women possibly understand the needs of a family?” would seem to suggest that Taiwan’s next president need to conform to the heteronormative, nuclear family—and that this is apparently of vital importance to the proper governance of Taiwan. Are there ways in which this kind of discourse is revealing about political morality in Taiwan?
The Rise and Fall of Hung Hsiu-Chu
With the possibility of Hung Hsiu-Chu’s replacement as KMT presidential candidate by Eric Chu in the near future, is it time to start speaking of Hung in past tense? We might look back on Hung’s meteoric rise and fall. Because if certainly one of the more colorful characters to make an appearance in Taiwanese politics in a long time, Hung also seems a figure vaguely emblematic of the times.
卡式台胞證3大觀察點：矮化台灣，對中系統失能，資安疑慮
「好歹商量一下，太不尊重我們了」面對中國強勢推行卡式台胞證，陸委會夏立言僅能表示無奈。從6月中國政協主席俞正聲宣布適時推動卡式台胞證，到9月全面實施，短短3個月時間內陸委會一退再退，陷台灣於「港澳化」的陷阱；而壟罩個資外洩疑雲的卡式台胞證本身，更是引起國內恐懼。卡式台胞證究竟是什麼？為什麼對台灣不利？陸委會有無失能？筆者下文將提出3大觀察點供讀者參考，並論卡式台胞證對民進黨中國政策的啟示。
What’s In A Passport?
What’s in a passport? This would be seem to be a question up in the air for Taiwan lately. A recent incident involving a Taiwanese citizen being refused admittance to the UN office in Geneva using a Republic of China passport as proof of identity has only driven home the point of Taiwan’s exclusion from the international community. China, in the meantime, has announced the implementation of an electronic card system replacing the “Taiwan compatriot travel document” used previously. Months previously, a campaign to put stickers on the “Republic of China” passport to make it read “Republic of Taiwan” was started by artist Denis Chen. Subsequent attempts by the Bureau of Consular Affairs to crack down on usage of such stickers has led to protest by civil society groups in recent days.
新加坡，吾愛：李光耀與新加坡的關係
今年的新加坡國慶，是李光耀過世後的第一次國慶，這個由多種族、多國籍組成的五百萬人小國，發生了什麼樣的改變呢？跟以往 49 年一樣，我們不意外看到遊行裡濃厚的激昂情緒與愛國情操，群眾聚在一年一度搭建的舞台旁，看著煙火點燃夜空，將國家的富裕與成究深深烙印在大家心中。
Mr. Xi Goes to Washington
Several weeks after the largest military parade Asia has seen in probably decades put on by China in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Sino-Japanese War, Xi Jinping will arrive in America for a weeklong visit starting on September 22nd. Xi’s first visit to America in his capacity as Chinese president occurs in a time of increasing tensions. But even as China preaches peace, China seems compelled to assert its military strength and demonstrate that China is a military power which will not be bullied by western powers. What will this bode for Taiwan and other Asia-Pacific territories, caught as they are between America and China?
China and the Opiate of the Masses
To date, instead of taking a step forward, China has tightened its political control. From the arrest of more than a hundred human rights activist and lawyers to the crackdown of the Christian communities, China has not improved at all. The recent crackdown at a Zhejiang village is an example of the Xi’s ideological control taking form. Rumors are that authorities in Zhejiang province are under a two-month deadline to remove crosses, the symbolism of Christianity, from the 4,000 or so churches of the region.
Can We Understand Article 9 Protests in Japan Alongside Other Asian Social Movements?
Recently we have seen widespread protest in Japan against the reinterpretation of Article 9 of the Japanese constitution, traditionally understood as the “pacifist clause” of the Japanese constitution which forbid the waging of future war by Japan after the brutalities of World War II. With the mass participation of young people in recent protests, can we point to parallels between present events in Japan and other recent Asian social movements?
中國與「黑色星期一」：國內外政策的蛛絲馬跡？
中國經濟一再重演的先崩潰後復甦循環，是否反而令人憂心中國的外交政策走向？雖然大多數對於中國經濟的分析都和外交政策完全脫鉤，但這其實是一大錯誤，尤其在中國政府的決策過程本身就是中央集權一環的情況下。換言之，當中國市場已經到達成長的極限，甚至需要人為抬高股價或政府紓困，為確保市場持續發展，對外實施領土擴張也就變得更加要緊。不論中國經濟是否能夠回復成長，或者還要繼續暴跌一段才會復甦，中國的影響力始終都在。那麼，中國的經濟衰退是否會導致外交政策更具侵略性？中國的周邊鄰國在不久的將來恐怕都得提出這個疑問。
Nostalgia for Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore and Its Role in Upcoming Elections
What is so interesting about 2015 elections in Singapore, which will happen on September 11th, is that it will be the first election held after the death of the nation’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew. Under Lee’s iron-fist and steadfast authoritative rule, the country has been a one-party state since its founding, not until 2011 when one of the opposition party won for one of the constituencies contested. But in spite of his death, use of the memory of the deceased Lee Kuan Yew may help the PAP secure its foothold for at least another five years.
China’s Military Parade and the Specter of Historical Memory
What was the mass spectacle of China’s recent military parade aimed at accomplishing in regards to invoking the past historical memory? Namely, the parade seems to be aimed at stirring up the nationalistic memory of war against Japan and aiming to intimidate a recently rearmed Japan.
The Ministry of Education Occupation From Beginning to End
One month after the end of the Ministry of Education occupation which took place in August, we might look back on the series of events which took place during the past month. This is the complete account of last month’s Ministry of Education occupation from New Bloom editor Brian Hioe, who was present for most of the occupation from the beginning to end.
Will a Visit From Taiwan’s Former Vice President Lend Weight to China’s Revisionist WWII History?
Lien Chan, who served as vice president of Taiwan (Republic of China) from 1996 to 2000, has departed Taipei to attend a World War II military parade to be held in neighboring People’s Republic of China on September 3, 2015. The news stirred a lot of controversy as Lien was a high-profile figure in Taiwan’s ruling political party Kuomintang and his presence is symbolic to the Chinese Communist Party’s military performance.
台灣前副總統連戰參加中共抗戰七十週年閱兵引發爭議
曾擔任中華民國副總統(1996-2000)的連戰於8月30日前往北京, 準備參加9月3日中共舉辦的抗戰勝利70週年閱兵，引發許多質疑。現任總統馬英九表示此舉並不恰當，因為作為國民黨中堅，連戰的在場將被解讀為認受中共領導有關中國共產黨於抗日戰爭發揮了「中流砥柱」的角色的說法，並矮化國民黨的領導地位。前行政院長（1981-1989）及二戰退役軍官郝柏村，也投書香港明報，其公開信中表示，中國共產黨應該修正對二戰的史觀，承認中國國民黨在之中的領導角色。
China, “Black Monday”, and Future Implications for Domestic and Foreign Policy
If global financial markets have begun panicking, with “Black Monday” on Wall Street largely attributed to fears about China’s faltering economy, it seems likely this will mark an end to permanent confidence about China’s ability to continually grow economically as though the sky were the limit. But is it possible that China’s recent economic woes may lead to both increasingly aggressive foreign policy as well attempts to crack down on perceived domestic dissidence?
Singapura Mon Amour
This year marks the first national day Singapore has held without Lee Kuan Yew. How has things changed for this small nation of 5 million people? Nearing close to half a year since Lee’s death, has Singapore political landscape, once under the iron fist of Lee, altered in any way? Has the controversy of the inherent lack of rights in Singapore shown in the curtail of liberties and libels charges used to target opposition, such as the arrest of 16 year old boy Amos Yee, send an awakening call to the public?
The Tianjin Explosion, Chinese Government Responses, and Media Spectacle
We may note with dark irony the series of reactions to the Tianjin explosion across the media landscape both inside and outside of China. To begin with, the explosion had the makings of public spectacle, what with the numerous videos which were taken at the time of the explosion and which were circulated across social media. But why the Tianjin explosions in particular? Namely, the Tianjin explosions were the fifth chemical explosion in 4 months.
上海發生的五萬人示威抗議，國際媒體怎能不報導？
兩個月前，上海出現了大規模的群眾動員，有些報導宣稱，多達五萬人參與了反對興建化工廠的環境議題示威。西方媒體卻完全不曾報導，即使華文媒體的報導也很稀少，中國媒體幾乎不報導這個事件，台灣、香港等中國周邊華文國家及地區的媒體則多半試著從社群媒體或微博上蒐集資訊。既然中國在全球事務上可說是東亞最重要的國家，過去一星期的一連串示威抗議直到今天在西方世界仍然幾乎沒有報導，就很令人意外了。更奇怪的是，持續發展了一周之久的新聞事件竟然缺少媒體報導。
From the Sunflower Movement to the Anti-Textbook Revision Movement
Looking back we can maybe say that in some way that the textbook protests which have rocked Taiwan in the past week occurred in the shadow of last year’s Sunflower Movement. Though I think it true to say that the movement eventually developed its own identity as distinct from the Sunflower Movement, this was true from the beginning, where the original plan to surround the Ministry of Education which was publicly announced by activists several months in advance was called a “Second Sunflower Movement.” With the end of the occupation, if we are to look back on the movement, was it really a second Sunflower Movement?
The Crisis of Taiwanese Politics as Expressed Through the Anti-Textbook Revision Movement?
Political reactions to the occupation were revealing is in regards to the deep splits within the KMT which have been made quite evident in recent days. The strategy by which the DPP has positioned itself relative to the textbook controversy are also in some way revealing of its current stances relative to issues which have been raised since last year’s Sunflower Movement concerning KMT authoritarianism—and more broadly threats to maintaining Taiwan’s status of de facto independence relative to China. Lastly, the role of independent political forces within Taiwanese society at present can also be seen from how they engaged with the political crisis.
台灣激進左派為何害怕反課綱運動？
Why Are Self-Proclaimed Members of the Taiwanese Radical Left Afraid of the Anti-Textbook Revision Movement?
Why are certain self-proclaimed members of Taiwan’s radical Left so afraid of the current anti-textbook revision movement? And in this case, it would look like the political Left is afraid of a bunch of children—high schoolers, that is. So very radical that is. Going back to last year’s Sunflower Movement, once again we find ourselves in the situation where a small segment of the self-proclaimed Left backs away from a mass uprising of Taiwanese society, proclaiming it to be a mere expression of right-wing populism.
Five Days of Struggle Against Black Box Education In Taiwan
After an attempt to occupy the Ministry of Education on July 23rd in which student occupiers got as far as the office of the Minister of Education, since July 30th the Ministry of Education courtyard has been occupied after demonstrators forced down the razor wire barriers and pushed back the police the night of the 30th. The actions of July 30th had been motivated by the suicide of Lin Kuanhua, a student activist who was apparently the first of the student occupiers who was arrested in the Minister of Education’s office. Five days into the occupation we might note international responses to date and future prospects for the movement.
Article 9 and Japan’s Democratic Crisis
Once again, we find ourselves in the situation where tens of thousands of individuals gather on the streets in an Asian metropolitan area, but the situation is largely not reported globally. Today we find ourselves in Japan, where up to sixty thousand gathered last Wednesday in front of the Diet to protest the repeal of Japan’s Article 9 and one hundred thousand are expected to gather over the weekend against the planned repeal and in favor of that Article 9 remain as part of the Japanese constitution. Though the actual crowd count is unclear, over ten thousand gather daily.
Ethno-Cultural Conflict of Uyghurs and Hans, Repatriation of Thai Government
International law states we shall not send the refugees to any country harmful to them. The Thai government ignores this and asserts to repatriate Uyghurs accused of crimes on dubious evidence to China. It seems Thailand is now not only violating international law, but its little sense of humanity is shown to international communities. Some may argue, this is just a national policy of repatriation. But what about putting human rights before policy?
How Could A Demonstration of 50,000 in Shanghai Not Be Reported in International Media?
Shanghai in the last month has seen massive mobilizations, some reports of which claim that up to 50,000 participated in environmental demonstrations against the building of a chemical plant. This has not at all been reported upon in western media, although details in Sinophone media are also sparse. The past week of actions dates to June 22nd, when a demonstration in which protestors occupied the space outside the Jinshui District Government in the suburb of Jinshui, Shanghai. Protestors were demonstrating against the building of a PX chemical plant in Shanghai, despite government claims that such a plant was not being built.
Taiwan’s Textbook Controversy and the Struggle Over Taiwanese History
Yesterday afternoon, demonstrators gathered at a site near the Ministry of Education for an afternoon of speeches, before marching at just before 6 PM to the Ministry of Education to throw paper airplanes into the Ministry of Education courtyard. The paper airplanes were made from folded up letters written by students expressing their dissatisfaction with planned textbook revisions. These changes have been referred to as a “black box” in line with the CSSTA trade agreement that the Ma administration attempted to push through legislature last year, as well as a “second Sunflower Movement.”
希拉蕊和她的彩虹旗：符號的力量與虛構
美國民主黨總統大選候選人希拉蕊．柯林頓 24 號在臉書公佈了她最新的競選短片，以數個同志婚禮場景的影像，並以自己的聲音做旁白，表明自己對同志權益特別是對同志婚姻的支持。諷刺的是，希拉蕊在 2013 年之前都曾數次表達自己反同婚的立場，例如她在 2008 年角逐民主黨總統候選人時的理念，認為婚姻是屬於「一個男人和一個女人間的結合」。當去年民主黨黨內總統候選人初選正如火如荼進行中時，在一則 National Public Radio 的訪問裡，希拉蕊表明他支持「同志權利即是人權」的立場，但這些權利必須讓各州政府去決定，換句話說，她並不支持同志婚姻在國家聯邦層級受到認可。
In Search of Lost Time
It is remarkable at times to note the electrifying effect of foreign media on public discourse in Taiwan. How could it not, given Taiwan’s state of existential obscurity? So it is no surprise that when DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-Wen was featured on the cover of Time Magazine’s Asia edition, an enormous amount of discussion broke out within Taiwan about the significance of this event. Where that the fundamental assumptions that the Time Magazine article based itself off of were pro-Beijing and the majority of sources quoted took KMT talking points has been well documented. Thus, here we might concern ourselves less with the content of the article itself, but the reception of the article and what that bodes for the future of 2016 elections.
Beyond Targeting Hung Hsiu-Chu
In the project of actively eliminating the KMT from Taiwan, civil society will have to take the leading role, but it will only be able to do so if it is able itself to arrive at the awareness of that the Hung Hsiu-Chu candidacy is reflective of the crisis of the KMT as a whole and that the Hung Hsiu-Chu candidacy is too valuable an opportunity to damage the KMT as a whole to pass up.
Predictable Emptiness
In her thirty minute long speech in New York City, which was attended by over a thousand, Tsai spoke of her admiration to New York City as a “city where dreams come true,” her willingness to work with the rising Third Party movements in Taiwan, and a growing “new Asian value of democracy” that is championed by Taiwan. Granted that this particular speech is not designed for a disposition of policies, Tsai’s speech still lacked any concrete substance into what makes her a suitable candidate for presidency.
What was the Other Side of Tsai Ing-Wen’s Visit to the United States?
DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-Wen’s recent twelve-day tour of the United States has been hailed as a success, not only by her supporters, but also by outside commentators. Certainly, while the purpose of Tsai’s visit was in part to raise the international profile of her campaign among overseas Taiwanese and Taiwanese-Americans, we might also point towards the integral importance of the meetings that took place between Tsai, American senators, and government officials. Namely, Tsai had a need to meet with American government officials and convince them that she would not be disruptive to regional stability.
The South Korean Hydis Workers and Taiwanese International Capitalism
What the actions of the Taipei police in the last several days have demonstrated is not only racism, as can be seen in the how police treated South Korean Hydis workers demonstrating in Taiwan, but, as can be seen during the initial arrest of Hydis workers and the reaction to Taiwanese Hydis supporters who rallied afterwards, Taipei police has become prone to overreacting with overwhelming force to protests. But we can also point towards racism on the part of the Taipei police as a reason for why they would react so violently this time around? More generally, regarding the dilemma of Hydis workers, can we relate the dilemma of the Hydis workers to the broader question the role of Taiwanese companies who own factories in other parts of Asia, and are often responsible for exploitative conditions?
Fresh Off The Boat in Retrospect
Despite having finished its first season’s run and having been renewed for a second season, the future of Fresh Off The Boat would seem to be up in the air. Though receiving no small amount of praise from Asian-Americans in the US early on, its run as a show depicting Asian-American experience through its portrayal of food personality Eddie Huang’s “Taiwanese-Chinese-American” experience, critical consensus is now divided.
Looking Back on the Chu-Xi Debacle
The talk of all Taiwan of late has, of course, been the meeting between KMT Chairman Eric Chu and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday. The meeting was from beginning to end an object of much speculation, drama, and hype, having been preceded for months by an elaborate amount of back and forth pageantry between the KMT and CCP about whether to not the meeting would take place. After the meeting finally happened, an enormous amount of commentary was produced speculating as to its broader implications. We might look back on the whole sordid affair.
九二共識是國民黨的鴉片
國民黨主席朱立倫率領中國國民黨代表團至北京與中國共產黨主席習近平會面，會晤後引起台灣與國際輿論熱烈討論，許多國際媒體陸續指出國民黨到中國向習近平表態支持與中國統一，如美國福斯新聞、英國衛報、英國晨星報、美聯社、澳洲人…等等皆有此論述。在引起如此多波瀾後，國民黨與朱立倫主席回台後趕緊滅火指正外媒、並且指責在野黨誣蔑抹黑抹紅國民黨，國民黨是在「九二共識」的前提下與中國共產黨會面，未涉及任何主權討論。然而，這究竟是國際媒體的問題，台灣在野黨的問題？又或是中國國民黨的問題？
走不出世界的中國原住民，在世界漂流的台灣少數民族
自 2002 年起，紐約聯合國總部開始舉行聯合國原住民族議題常設論壇，這是個已經舉行超過十年的論壇。台灣政府雖然非聯合國成員，但仍舊有許多官方與非官方組織的台灣原住民團體連結美國在地非政府組織與台裔美國人，以觀察員的身分列席參與此全球原住民盛事。此外，紐約台北經濟文化辦事處也會在同時間舉辦論壇，廣邀列席聯合國原住民常設論壇的各國原住民參與活動。有趣的是，參與活動的台灣原住民表示，多年來中國政府也是年年參與此論壇，但卻未曾看過中國「原住民」參與此論壇。中國政府每年必出席活動，屬於一種監督者的角色，觀察有無參與活動的與會國家原住民提及「台灣」與「中國少數民族」等敏感詞彙。
這是「高度警惕」台獨分裂傾向的時刻？還是台灣獨立的天賜良機？
歸根結底，當前這個看上去更像是冷戰時期的局面，或許是個賽局理論的課題。中國真的想要併吞台灣嗎？這會是台灣的生存危機嗎？只有時間才能證明。但是對台灣獨立而言，不去動搖現狀真的是最安全的選擇嗎？不作為以求自保才是唯一的出路嗎？即使宣布獨立意味著和中國展開一場危機重重的膽小鬼博弈（game of chicken）？
解放乳頭、大眾媒體、以及「後性解放」女權運動的困境
Free the Nipple 運動強調身體的除罪化和去性化，特別是長期下來受到權力監控的女性身體。這個運動在今年三月一名冰島女性標籤 #freethenipple 拍照上傳 Twitter 露乳的照片之後，引進網路上廣大的討論。在臺灣，由劉美妤、鏡子、林郁璇、宋晉儀、和王立柔五名女性拍攝響應此運動的計畫，上傳上空照片，挑戰 Facebook 對身體的監察制度，引起廣大的爭論。此篇文章並不是要進行「女性乳頭是否能裸露在公開場合或社群網路」這個層次的辯論，我個人支持對於任何身體審查制度的挑戰，但我在此主要想要探討的是女體在大眾媒體的再呈現和當今女權運動發展的矛盾關係。
太陽花一年
太陽花運動是從 2014 年 3 月 18 日開始的，正是整整一年前。事件發生一年後，在我們這些有心參與台灣前途的人們看來，結論是很明確的：太陽花運動創造了歷史。而今，太陽花運動走進了歷史。太陽花運動將與過往爭取台灣民主的漫漫長路上一連串的鬥爭並列，像是 1979 年的美麗島事件，以及 1990 年的野百合運動。但我們要怎麼在歷史上指出太陽花運動的具體影響，則仍未明朗。事實上，此刻其實還言之過早。但我們至少可以分析過去一年裡那些能夠追溯到太陽花運動的事件。
A Year of Sunflowers?
The Sunflower Movement began on March 18th, 2014, one year ago today. One year after the fact, for those of us who concern ourselves with Taiwan’s future, the verdict is clear: the Sunflower Movement made history. And now, the Sunflower Movement has passed into history. The Sunflower Movement will take its place alongside past struggles in the long journey of Taiwanese democracy as the Wild Lily Movement of 1990 and the Kaohsiung Incident of 1979. But less clear is what, in history, we will be able to point to as the concrete effects of the movement. In truth, it is still too early to tell. But we can examine the past year’s events as we can root them in the Sunflower Movement.
Fukushima Four Years on in Taiwan and Japan
On March 14th, 60,000 Taiwanese took the streets across Taiwan in order to protest nuclear power. This was largely in Taiwan’s major metropolitan centers, Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Tainan. Taipei saw around 40,000, Kaohsiung 11,000, and Tainan 5,000. Smaller protests also took place in Taitung County and on the Penghu Islands, but the total amount of protestors is generally estimated to be between 40,000 and 60,000. How are to look at this in the broader context, four years after Fukushima?
A Time for “High Vigilance” Against Taiwanese Independence? Or High Time for Taiwanese Independence?
Is the safest move to not rock the boat where Taiwanese independence is concerned? Is the only winning move not to play? Even if it may mean playing a dangerous game of chicken with China through declaring independence? Xi Jinping has vowed the “reunification” of mainland China and Taiwan within his presidential term, which runs until 2020. And so, in the present, this is the question which we must ask ourselves.
Twilight of the Idols?
Recent weeks have seen defacements of Chiang Kai-Shek statues in Taipei, Taichung, Taoyuan, Keelung, Tainan, and other metropolitan areas. Namely, Chiang Kai-Shek statues are to be found all over Taiwan, so far as part of the “official history” of Taiwan mandated by state education, Chiang Kai-Shek is the heroic founder of the Republic of China whom Taiwanese citizenry should hail as an embodiment of patriotic and civic virtue. But what this flags for us is that the recent campaign of defacements of Chiang Kai-Shek statues across Taiwan, more or less in the period surrounding the yearly commemoration of the 228 Massacre in 1947, is a struggle over history.
Against Both KMT and DPP?
That on February 21, Chthonic frontman and longtime Taiwanese independence activist, Freddy Lim, declared his intent to run for legislator of his native Daan district in 2016 has been the latest development in Taiwanese electoral politics as we approach 2016 legislative and presidential elections. Lim plans on running as a candidate of the New Power Party, which was founded in late January. But more broadly, we can point to Lim’s candidacy as one of a series of developments which occur in the aftermath of the Sunflower Movement and the victory of Ko Wen-Je during nine-in-one elections of November of last year.
一場缺乏性權利的性別化運動
陳為廷的醜聞之所以成為這麼重大的事件，是因為陳為廷投入選舉政治的重要性被放在陳為廷作為政治行動者及單一個人的吸引力，而非陳為廷所象徵的社會意義之中認知。這次事件顯現出太陽花運動本身也不能免於台灣公民政治存在數十年之久的性別歧視。批判的確隨之而來，但整體而言無法討論到陳為廷之所以失足的更大脈絡。實際上，這場醜聞也無法在台灣社會運動者中間激起對於太陽花運動內部性別政治本質任何根本缺陷的深入自我反思，它終究只造就了一場淺薄的討論，充其量只是沒話找話說，完全不具備任何基本價值的重新評估，更不足以導向性權利或性別平等的結構性變革。台灣社會運動者們必須更堅定地意識到這些問題，否則所能造成的改變將是微乎其微。
Chen Shui-Bian’s Release and the Question of Taiwanese Independence
On Monday, former Taiwanese president Chen Shui-Bian was released on medical parole after six years of imprisonment on a 20-year sentence on charges of corruption. Medical parole will last for one month, after which his condition will be evaluated. Chen’s release comes after a series of campaigns calling for his release on grounds of human rights. But while release of former president Chen Shui-Bian on medical parole has been welcomed by many Taiwanese activists, but have reactions from society at large been so positive? And what does Chen’s release mean for the broader question of Taiwanese independence?
A Sexualized Movement Without Sexual Rights
The scandal which has rocked Taiwanese activist circles in the past week has been Sunflower movement leader and Miaoli legislator hopeful Chen Wei-Ting’s admission of several sexual harassment incidents. Why the scandal over Chen Wei-Ting would become such a large incident was because the significance of Chen entering electoral politics was viewed in terms of Chen’s personal appeal as a political actor and individual rather than in terms of what Chen represented. In this way, the actual questions at hand in regards to deep-rooted issues of male sexism and chauvinism in Taiwanese activist politics and society end up buried.
把握大選衝力，將人權放上台灣首要議題
經過上星期六的勝利，民進黨再一次得到了完成陳水扁總統未竟之志的機會。儘管民進黨主席蔡英文目前看來是非國民黨陣營最被看好的2016總統候選人，但包含無黨籍候選人在內的其他可能人選，未來兩年內也將起而挑戰她，或是角逐立法院席次。不管最後是誰代表參選，反對陣營都一定要把握這次勝選的衝勁，再次將人權排上台灣的首要議題。
遊戲規則
遊戲規則真的改變了嗎？誠實評估起來，恐怕沒有。就算太陽花運動讓先前台灣政治的連續體產生斷裂，如今看來，幾乎隨著太陽花運動一結束，人們就回歸日常活動了。儘管太陽花運動讓大量的新團體得以產生，新面孔與新領袖也得以在台灣社運政治的光譜上亮相，他們是否僅僅增加了參與台灣既有公民社會的組織數量，卻不曾根本改變公民社會與選舉政治的關係則仍然令人疑惑。但未來如何還有得瞧。假如台灣的選舉真的只是一場膚淺而腐敗的遊戲，或許這遊戲總有結束的一天。但當下的鬥爭仍然不可輕忽。
Storming the Legislature a Second Time?
On December 9th, Chen Wei-Ting of Sunflower Movement fame announced his plans to run for legislator of his native Miaoli. A recent poll conducted by TVBS week suggests that Chen would be victorious in elections. But what are we to make of that Sunflower Movement activists are now running for electoral positions? What would Sunflower Movement activists accomplish through running as political candidates and by way of participation in electoral campaigns?
柯文哲到底是怎麼涉入中國器官買賣的？
柯文哲醫師打了一場乾淨而光彩的選戰，在11月29日投票當天順利擊敗連勝文，成為16年來第一位非國民黨籍的台北市長。儘管如此，他在這場選戰中還有一個重大議題必須回應，才能給自己的新政一個好的開始。那就是，倘若真有其事，他在協助台灣病人取得從中國法輪功囚犯身上摘取的器官進行移植手術之中，究竟扮演了什麼角色？
How Involved was Ko in the Chinese Organ Trade?
Dr. Ko Wen-je ran a generally clean and honourable campaign that resulted in his defeating Sean Lien in the November 29 election to be the first non-KMT mayor of Taipei in 16 years. Nonetheless, there was one major issue that arose during his campaign that he needs to address in order to start off his administration on the right foot. Namely, what role did he play, if any, in helping Taiwanese patients obtain organ transplants harvested from Chinese Falun Gong prisoners?
A Month of Labor Demonstrations in Taiwan
Although as was to be expected, media was mostly preoccupied with nine-in-one elections, the past month in Taiwan has been one marked by no shortage of activity by organized labor. In particular, this was driven on by two groups: the Former Toll Collectors’ Self-Help Organization and employees of Hualon Group. But if the past nine-in-one elections represent something new for Taiwanese politics, can new avenues of possibility be forced open for Taiwanese organized labor?
Hong Kong’s “New Normal”
Is Hong Kong’s Umbrella Revolution over? This has been the question that many have asked themselves over the past month, both in Hong Kong and outside of it. As the Umbrella Revolution stretched on past one month, then over two months, the international news coverage which drew the world’s attention to the movement has slowly dwindled. The fact that people both in and outside of Hong Kong have been continually asking themselves whether the Umbrella Revolution is over is, in fact, proof enough that it is not over. Yet if the Umbrella Revolution has already succeeded in transforming Hong Kong, it remains a salient question as to how it will end.
Sunflower Seeds in Bloom?
It would seem the tides of Taiwanese electoral politics are turning, or are they? The past victory of opposition forces over the KMT in the nine-in-one elections held last Saturday came as a surprise, with independent candidate Ko Wen-Je triumphing over KMT candidate Sean Lien in vying for the position of Taipei mayor. But if past elections have been a victory, what remains is to demand more from all quarters. It is not merely enough to be satisfied with current set of circumstances. Only then will the demands of the Sunflower Movement stand any chance of realization.
Seizing the Election Momentum to Place Human Rights at the Top of the Agenda in Taiwan
On Saturday, Taiwan held its first nine-in-one elections in which nine different types of positions were up for election throughout the country. While the election results show that the KMT is losing influence on local politics, this is only the opening act to the much more important election in 2016 for the presidency and the national legislature. Regardless of who runs in the elections in the end, the opposition must seize this momentum to place human rights at the top of the agenda in Taiwan again.
When We Talk About Beyond “Blue” and “Green”, Is this Moving Forward or Marching in Place?
Moving beyond blue and green can be a positive political transformation: living on the same piece of land with a group of people should be the peaceful and rational discussion of political ideas on the basis of common vision. On the other hand, the claim to move beyond blue and green can be a confused battle of hypocrisy, sidelining important political questions, in the belief that this is reconciliation between blue and green in a communal manner. But will the voters of the general public be so conscious?
當我們談起超越藍綠，是一種進步，還是原地踏步？
柯文哲的競選主軸「超越藍綠」在這次台北市長選舉中獲得極大的迴響，延續了近年幾次藍綠以外的公民運動所獲得的空前成功，例如凱道送仲丘、太陽花運動。但是「超越藍綠」是否真的成功擺脫政黨惡鬥、開創出一種新的政治認同？亦或者只是自我設限，不去面對台灣各個不同群體的基本矛盾呢？這篇文章提供深入淺出的分析，讓我們深思「超越藍綠」背後的意義。
Have the Rules of the Game Changed?
With less than a month left until Taiwan’s “nine-in-one” elections, the stakes of the political game are high. With candidates competing for offices at all levels of government, all the way from mayoral positions in Taiwan’s special municipalities down to village and borough warden positions, and an unprecedented 11,130 candidates competing for nine categories of office, the “nine-in-one” elections come as quite possibly the most significant event for Taiwanese electoral politics outside of presidential elections. Yet have the rules of the game changed after the Sunflower Movement?
Occupying Identity?
New Bloom UK Editor Sam Sussman sat down with Hong Kong social movements researcher Larry Au to chat about the specifically Hong Kongese political experiences and traditions from which the movement developed its organizational and rhetorical strength. Larry is an M.Sc in Global Governance and Diplomacy at the University of Oxford, and previously researched Hong Kong social movements at Brown.
An end to Hong Kong’s “Umbrella Revolution”?
Now approaching a month’s duration, the series of protests which have rocked Hong Kong since late September have seen a series of events in the past week including attempts at negotiation between students and government, the breakdown of negotiations, continued police violence, and growing public sentiment against occupiers. But have we seen this before?
Eye of the Storm: Dian Dian
As part of our continuing Eye of the Storm: Voices from the Hong Kong Occupation series of interviews conducted by New Bloom with participants, organizers, and observers of the Hong Kong democracy movement, we interviewed Dian Dian, editor of the Queer Lala Times (酷拉時報) on October 9th.
Storm Clouds over Hong Kong
In the face of the suspension of negotiations to protest police inaction against the assault of pro-Beijing mobs, Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chung-Ying now declares that protestors have until the early morning hours of Monday to withdraw. As protestors refused, the coming hours will prove decisive for Hong Kong, with the threat of violence once more on the table. Will Hong Kong’s democracy movement be able to weather the coming storm?
Eye of the Storm: Lucetta Kam
This is the first of an upcoming series of interviews conducted by New Bloom with participants, organizers, and observers of the Hong Kong democracy movement entitled “Eye of the Storm: Voices from the Hong Kong Occupation”. We interviewed Dr. Lucetta Kam, who is a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University and an organizer of Hong Kong Scholars Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity, on September 29th.
Hong Kong in Crisis
Where just a month ago, it seemed as though Occupy Central was on the decline, that Hong Kong would see no mass protest over China’s refusal to permit free elections, Hong Kong’s student activists have seized the day.
The Impossibility of Democracy in Hong Kong?
Does the possibility exist for Hong Kong to attain democracy? This question has yet to be settled. In the face of China’s refusal to allow non-vetted candidates to run for Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, the highest political position in the Hong Kong government, the stage is set for Occupy Central to once again seize control of Hong Kong’s Central district, the city’s financial and economic heart.
松煙護樹的121天
松煙護樹在持續了121天後，面臨了極大的挑戰，凌晨兩點多，突然有四十至五十名警力集結開始驅離，原本駐紮的帳篷和器材被拆掉，放到三部卡車上載走，大約兩點半整個營地已經被清空。當時有五個人住在帳篷中，當筆者約莫三點到達現場時，大約已經有二十左右的朋友聚集，大部分是台灣護樹團體聯盟的成員。可能是因為時間很晚了，護樹聯盟也無法即時回應，社群網路上面並沒有太多的消息，所以除了聯盟之外並沒有太多人響應，除了我以外沒有其他記者，包括中文媒體，大部分的中文媒體都是在事發之後透過從社群網站上收集資訊及訪問成員得到資訊。
The 121st Day of the Songyan Occupation
On its 121st day, the longstanding Songyan occupation, protesting the unlawful cutting down of trees in the area outside the site of the future Taipei Dome, near Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, faced its greatest tribulation to date. A police raid upon the occupation encampment was conducted at 2 AM which, according to those present, brought in approximately forty to fifty police officers.
From Out of KMT Party Education, Towards the Path of Justice
I was once a supporter of the KMT. When I was young I worshipped President Chiang Kai-shek’s heroic deeds in the war against Japan, appreciated his opposition to Communism, and was grateful for him founding Taiwan.
從黨國教育走出，追求轉型正義
我曾是一位國民黨死忠支持者，我小時候曾經崇拜 蔣中正總統反共抗日的英勇事蹟、欣賞他為正義反共、感謝他建設臺灣等事蹟。當時我認為白色恐怖受害者都是群不聽政府的反社會人格者，政府是在教育他們好好做人才逮捕他們，唯有跟隨政府反共才能帶來最後的幸福。
Civil Revolt in Miaoli County?
This past Friday, approximately 200 protestors gathered outside of the former site of Chang Pharmacy in Dapu, Miaoli. One year ago on July 18th, 2013, the family-owned pharmacy was forcibly demolished in order to make way for commercial development. In September, owner Chang Sen-wen (張森文) was found dead under a bridge. The death was ruled a suicide by police, but there are those who remain suspicious, including Chang’s son.
Japan, the Jadeite Cabbage and the KMT’s Regime of Truth
Last week, a rare row arose between Taiwan and Japan over the Jadeite Cabbage. The artifact, originally crafted for one of the Qing emperor Guangxu’s notable concubines, is a prized possession and tourist favorite at the National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院) in Taipei.
TPE→HKG→TYO?
It would seem that Asia is in the streets these days. Three months have passed since Taiwan’s Sunflower movement. With the revival of Hong Kong’s Occupy Central in new form, sovereignty issues regarding mainland China and questions of democracy have generally taken center stage whereas Chinese speaking countries and territories on China’s periphery are concerned.