Tsai Ing-Wen

Permanent Residency Plan for Hongkongers Delayed Due to Backlash from Pan-Green Legislators

Brian Hioe
Backlash from pan-Green legislators has led the Mainland Affairs Council to suspend a plan to allow individuals from Hong Kong and Macau to obtain permanent residency in Taiwan after five years on a work permit. What the incident shows is the dynamics regarding perceptions of Hong Kong in Taiwan at present. Namely, as democratic freedoms continue to deteriorate in Hong Kong, it is increasingly possible that Taiwan simply comes to treat Hong Kong as part of China–and Hongkongers as Chinese. The issue continues to be contested over, with members of the pan-Green camp having not reached a consensus on the issue...
EnglishMay 2022Self-DeterminationSocial MovementsYouth Movements8 min read

CECC Announces Phasing Out of QR Code Registration, Implementation of COVID Test Distribution System

Brian Hioe
The Central Epidemic Command Center which manages Taiwan’s COVID-19 response announced several major policy shifts this afternoon. First, starting from today, the QR code registration system used for contact tracing will no longer be used. This is because the number of COVID-19 cases in Taiwan is too high for contact tracing, as a result of which contact tracing will no longer be carried out...
April 2022EnglishPolitics6 min read

Support for Ukraine from Taiwan Continues, with Regional Realignments in Wake of Invasion

Brian Hioe
Support for Ukraine from Taiwan continues, with 740 million NT for Ukraine raised within 18 days for a government-established relief fund that will be used for resettling refugees last month. Likewise, 216 tons of supplies have been sent to Ukraine from Taiwan to date, and there are plans to hold a benefit concert at the National Concert Hall in cooperation with the Polish representative office on April 17th. ...
April 2022EnglishPolitics5 min read