Soft Power: Taiwan’s Fundamental Instrument to Accomplish Global Recognition
Taiwan is a classic case to study the case of soft power as it has thrived on it and created a buzz worldwide because of its governance model. Soft power, a term coined by Joseph Nye in the 1980s, is how a state can influence others without coercion. It is also the ability to shape […]
Taiwan Brief: The critical KMT chair race, part 2, transcript
Welcome to Taiwan Brief, an in-depth look at topics impacting Taiwan’s future. I’m Donovan Smith in Taichung. This is part two on the topic of the KMT chair race.Part one introduced why this race is a crucial one for not just the party, but the future of Taiwan’s democracy.We also looked at the four already […]
Taiwan Brief: The critical KMT chair race, part 1
This KMT chair race is hugely consequential, and will impact the future of not just the party, but Taiwan’s democracy. In part 1, we look at why it’s important, and the already declared candidates.
Taiwan Headlines, July 23: KMT’s vaccine politics
3 KMT-run counties and KMT want to buy vaccines, government says no. What’s curious is who is behind it, and who isn’t. KMT also suing Health Minister and CECC head Chen and head of the FDA over local vaccine approval.
Taiwan Headlines, July 22: Love from Lithuania, Canada and US
Taiwan is to establish a “Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania” and CCP flips out. Halifax defence and security forum to meet in Taipei. US military plane lands with package for new AIT head Oudkirk, and CCP flips out again.
Taiwan Headlines, July 19: TPP closes in on KMT in polling
Neither the DPP nor the CEC are doing the KMT any favours. Polling shows DPP and KMT continue to lose support, but lost supporters aren’t to ‘no party’, but other parties–and TPP is now less than 3% behind the KMT.
Taiwan Headlines, July 5: Ko P and deep blues transcript
A recent My Formosa poll showed the demographic with strongest “faith in” him came from…deep blues! That’s striking considering he pitches himself as a centrist. However, a just-released video suggests he may now be pitching himself to those voters.
Taiwan Headlines, July 4: More election warring transcript
New information has surfaced on subject of yesterday’s show: warring over elections. EY absentee voting proposal is only for referendums, and KMT & DPP appear to be politicking on whether it will apply in December. Chen’s recall date is now “tentative”.
Taiwan Headlines July 3, warring over elections transcript
The third “revenge recall” is set for Taiwan Statebuilding Party lawmaker Chen Po-wei for Aug. 28–but the Aug. 28 referendums were bumped to December. KMT continues to push for absentee ballots, and shockingly the Executive Yuan will propose a draft.
Taiwan Headlines – July 2, Covid and the KMT transcript
This week saw a break in the trend of Monday having the lowest Covid case count. KMT raises death rate questions. KMT figures jump the vaccine queue, but a DPP accusation doesn’t hold up. Miaoli lifts lockdown on foreign workers.