Taiwanology

Whether you love him or hate him, Elon Musk is impossible to ignore. Walter Isaacson should show, because he had spent two years on his side. In this special episode, my colleagues Charo and Yishan talked to Isaacson, the author of the most comprehensive biography on Elon Musk so far. In September, CommonWealth Magazine published the traditional Chinese version of the biography in Taiwan. In the interview, he talked about how Musk thinks about rules, his controversial stance on China and Taiwan, and why his mother fears that he would one day become his father. Hosts: Kwangyin Liu, Charo Wu, Yishan Chen Guest: Walter Isaacson, author of Elon Musk's biography, Professor of History at Tulane University Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang ＊CW English: https://english.cw.com.tw ＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw 留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments Powered by Firstory Hosting

Taiwan doesn’t just make semicondictor chips, it also puts together the Nikes, New Balances, Adidas shoes on your feet. Over 70% of Nikes and 90% of New Balance shoes are made by Taiwan companies. Ever sported gear from Puma, New Balance, Mizuno, or On Running? There's a high chance they came from Diamond Group's factories. Each year, they roll out a whopping 35 million pairs of sports shoes. Hear from the two CEOs from the Diamond Group to find out why Taiwan is so good at making shoes. 10:40 - Why Diamond Group has factories in 6 different countries 13:20 - Why India will be making most of the Nike shoes very soon 14:14 - It takes a village to make a pair of running shoes 18:43 - Why Taiwan remains indispensable for the largest shoemakers 24:30 - How Taiwan shoemakers outsmart Korean & Chinese competitors Host: Kwangyin Liu Guests: Louis Chen 陳立宗, CEO of Diamond Group Bang Lin 林邦彥, Vice Chairman of Diamond Group & CEO of Cortina Global Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang ＊CW English: https://english.cw.com.tw ＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw 留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments Powered by Firstory Hosting

As we focus on the upcoming Taiwan presidential election in January 2024, the scene is surely getting crowded. Besides DPP's Lai Ching-te, KMT's Hou You-yi and Ko Wen-je representing the Taiwan People’s Party, Terry Gou, the founder of Foxconn, also joined the race. With geopolitical tensions rising, some are calling this election the most pivotal one for Taiwan's destiny. What’s really at stake? Why is that the candidates all seem to need to win trust from the US? And what will the challenges be for the next leader? 11:35 - What makes the upcoming election so pivotal for Taiwan? 14:48 - The role Beijing plays in Taiwan's past presidential elections 19:01 - What American endorsement means for the candidates Host: Kwangyin Liu Guest: Kharis Templeman, Hoover Institution Research Fellow at Stanford University Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang ＊CW English: https://english.cw.com.tw ＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw 留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments Powered by Firstory Hosting

The flavors of Taiwan, including mini puffs, bubble tea and dry noodles, are gaining popularity in the US and Europe. In this delicious episode, we talk to the mochi master, Alvin Huang from Royal Family Foods, which is selling 1.5 million mochis a day. Why is this dessert captivating Gen Z in over 50 countries? Why is mochi Taiwanese and international at the same time? 15:45 - Who are the Americans buying mochis? 16:25 - Collaboration with Haagen-Dazs 21:25 - The birth of "bubble tea mochi" Host: Kwangyin Liu Guest: Alvin Huang, Director of Sales and Marketing, Royal Family Food Company Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang ＊CW English: https://english.cw.com.tw ＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw 留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments Powered by Firstory Hosting

While the Taiwan issue is often seen through a lens of cross-strait conflicts, how does it impact Taiwan’s economy and interactions with the world? Are there alternative and more nuanced ways for us to talk about Taiwan? In this episode we talk with George Yin, a research associate at Fairbank Center at Harvard. Amidst growing geopolitical tension, he argues that the importance of diplomacy cannot be overlooked. How can Taiwan be the bridge, rather than the frontline? 07:40 - How has the war on Ukraine highlighted anxiety about Taiwan? 18:24 - Are Taiwan people really not concerned about the prospect of armed conflicts? 27:40 - Taiwan's potential to be the "bridge" and how to start Host: Kwangyin Liu Guest: George Yin, Distinguished Research Fellow at National Taiwan University’s Center for China Studies Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang ＊CW English: https://english.cw.com.tw ＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw 留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments Powered by Firstory Hosting

#MeToo has taken Taiwan by storm, following a young woman's bombshell sexual harassment allegation in May. Over 100 victims, both men and women, have come forward to accuse prominent figures in politics, the arts, and academia. Inspired by a popular drama series "Wave Makers", the movement has prompted self-reflect and even a law revamp, but will real changes happen? 01:20 - Filmmaker Lynn telling her own story 18:30 - Why women in Taiwan are not speaking out 28:00 - Why there’s resistance to acknowledge the victims Host: Kwangyin Liu Guest: Nien-hsuan Fang, Associate Professor of National Chengchi University Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang ＊CW English: https://english.cw.com.tw ＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw 留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments Powered by Firstory Hosting

Ever since the introduction of OpenAI's ChatGPT, many have marveled at its potential to assist human work while others are concerned about potential abuse or being replaced by it. In this episode, Kwangyin talked with Ethan Tu, founder of Taiwan AI Labs, who was once head of a Microsoft team that created the AI assistant Cortana, which later became the team that created ChatGPT. 08:40 - Is artificial intelligence threatening humanity? 12:35 - What’s Taiwan’s unique strength in the development of large language models? 21:30 - How AI is used to detect COVID patients 22:07 - The implication of AI for the music industry 27:42 - Will news anchors be replaced by AI? The use of the audio clip of the single “Teach Me the Ways to Be Your Love” was authorized by Sandee Chen. Host: Kwangyin Liu Guest: Ethan Tu, Founder of Taiwan AI Labs Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw 留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments Powered by Firstory Hosting

With a yearly rainfall 2.6 times the global average, it's hard to imagine that water scarcity would be an issue for Taiwan. Over the past five years, Taiwan has no major typhoons, which has led to unprecedented droughts. How can Taiwan ensure a sustainable water supply not only for chipmakers like TSMC but also for the farmers, and its people? 04:52 - Why Taiwan is facing water shortages? 10:15 - The battle for water between rice farmers and chipmakers 13:20 - The "pearl necklace project" to connect reservoirs 21:09 - Why is water so cheap in Taiwan? Host: Kwangyin Liu Guest: Chien-Hsin Lai, the Director-General of Taiwan's Water Resources Agency Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw 留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments Powered by Firstory Hosting

The relationship between China and the U.S. is not only at its lowest point in decades, but appears to be trapped in a downward spiral. With Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterating his resolve to reunify Taiwan, many articles and podcasts portrayed Taiwan as a potential flashpoint between US and China, as if Taiwan has no agency, and there is nothing Taiwan could do. Is that true? 7:05 - How Taiwan's democracy evolved over the past 30 years? 12:40 - How are the China-based Taiwanese businesses coping with rising geopolitical tension? 19:36 - Germany's much anticipated new China strategy. 23:58 - Is there anything Taiwan can do to avoid a US-China conflict? 30:15 - Is skepticism towards the U.S. really growing in Taiwan's society? Host: Kwangyin Liu Guests: Gunter Schubert, Professor of Greater China Studies at University of Tübingen Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw Powered by Firstory Hosting

Morris Chang, the 91-year-old founder of TSMC and a pivotal figure in semiconductor manufacturing, teams up with Chris Miller, an Associate Professor of International History at Tufts University. They discuss Taiwan's critical role in the global chip supply chain and how TSMC became a leader in the industry. Chang raises thought-provoking points on the U.S. friendshoring strategy and critiques the American CHIPS Act. The conversation also covers the economic implications of relocating chip production and the future landscape of the semiconductor industry.