Taiwanology

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.

For the second episode of the Taiwanology podcast, we hopped on a plane and took a trip to India. The 3 Commonwealth reporters Elaine Huang, Andy Yang and Peiying Hsieh visited India to get insights into the Indian Electronic Manufacturing Industry, and especially the working conditions of Foxconn in India. Recently, India is becoming increasingly important for international electronic manufacturers, partly due to its low labour costs, partly due to rising manufacturing costs in China. Numerous international corporations are investing in India to build new factories. Above all, Foxconn, the largest manufacturer of iPhones globally. Together with Vedanta, Foxconn is investing $20 billion in the Indian state of Gujarat to build a gigantic semiconductor manufacturing facility. Further investments into India might follow over the next few years and Foxconn could create thousands, if not hundred of thousands of new jobs in India. Andy, Elaine and Peiying also met with workers at a current Foxconn facility in India. They even had the opportunity to visit one worker’s home. Everything about Taiwanese investments in the Indian Electronics Manufacturing industry in this episode! Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor & English website editor at CommonWealth Magazine Guests: Elaine Huang, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Andy Yang, Reporter of CommonWealth Magazine Pei-ying Hsieh, Photographer of CommonWealth Magazine E-mail：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

For the debut episode of the Taiwanology podcast, we delved into Taiwan’s role in the global chip supply chain. And, most importantly, its role in the chip war. Our guest is Miin Wu, founder of Macronix International, who has over 50 years of experience in the semiconductor industry. If you own a Nintendo Switch or a Canon camera, your device has chips made by Macronix. Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is the most competitive in the world. But what does it mean for Taiwan when geopolitical tensions dominate the headlines? When the major countries like the US or those in Europe require that advanced chips be made on their own soil, does this new trend render Taiwan less secure? Speakers: -Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor & English website editor at CommonWealth Magazine -Miin Wu, Founder & Chairman of Macronix International Co., Ltd E-mail：bill@cw.com.tw Powered by Firstory Hosting