Taiwan’s democracy and high-tech economy play a crucial role in global affairs and are central to the world’s embrace of a raft of next-generation technologies, including AI. It is underpinned by a security relationship with the United States that’s existed in several iterations since 1949 and the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) retreat from China. A central pillar of that security relationship is the American willingness to sell arms to Taiwan. Indeed, since 1979 it has been embedded in US law, with the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) charging the US with helping to improve the island’s ability to deter an attack from
Academia Historica director Chen Tsui-lien (陳翠蓮), speaking at the handover ceremony for her new role on Monday, said that when she accepted the position, she knew that her peaceful life as a history professor was a thing of the past, and that from now on she would have to “wear a helmet.” A specialist in Taiwan’s post-World War II history and the 228 Incident, she has been accused of being politically divisive. A phrase she used in her acceptance speech set headlines alight this week, putting her in the sights of editorials in blue-leaning media. She said opposition figures calling for
Taiwanese-Americans, lawmakers and civic groups marched through Manhattan on Saturday last week in support of Taiwan’s participation in the UN. Marshall Islands Permanent Representative to the UN John Silk joined the demonstration, saying he hoped Taiwan would one day be able to participate in UN meetings as a member, and Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Yi-chuan (王義川) took part while visiting New York City with a delegation. Taiwanese communities in Vancouver held a “UN for Taiwan” event. The campaign comes as the 81st UN General Assembly gets under way. In Taipei, President William Lai (賴清德) said China was deliberately misinterpreting UN
Taiwan Travelogue Non-Taiwanese living in Taiwan would benefit greatly from reading Yang Shuang-zi’s (楊?子) Taiwan Travelogue — and thanks to Lin King (金翎), they can read the translated version in English. King won the US National Book Award for Translated Literature in 2024 and the International Booker Prize this year for her translated work. Taiwan Travelogue navigates a story of colonialism, culture and exploration. Each chapter is titled after a Taiwanese dish or ingredient, reflecting the rich culinary tradition that many Taiwanese take great pride in. However, the story should not only be read to enjoy the motif of cuisine or companionship of
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