Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT) 台灣時事 01-06-2020 Episode 27

On this episode, hosts Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) and Michael Turton (麥哲恩) kick off with more amusing and odd gaffes coming from KMT presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu, and allegations of his buying a house for–and is confirmed to have travelled abroad with–a woman who isn’t his wife. Han reiterates pledge to reform the KMT, and […]

Podcast: Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT) 台灣時事 01-06-2020 Episode 27

On this episode, hosts Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) and Michael Turton (麥哲恩) kick off with more amusing and odd gaffes coming from KMT presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu, and allegations of his buying a house for–and is confirmed to have travelled abroad with–a woman who isn’t his wife. Han reiterates pledge to reform the KMT, and […]

Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT) 台灣時事 12.30.2019 Episode 26

This week, hosts Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss the presidential debate, the future of the KMT, polling and how youth have turned away from the KMT. The “anti-infiltration” bill proposed by the DPP causes concerns, as does the infiltration itself–but it’s a tricky line to balance if freedoms are to be […]

Taiwan Quick Take: NPP tops youth poll, KMT at 2.99%

Depending on where you stand on the political spectrum, a poll held of 11,369 high school and university students was either very good news, middling news, or very, very dire news.  Of those students, it’s unclear how many of the college level students were of voting age, but a rough guess might be about half.  […]

Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT) 台灣時事 12.30.2019 Episode 26

This week, hosts Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss the presidential debate, the future of the KMT, polling and how youth have turned away from the KMT. The “anti-infiltration” bill proposed by the DPP causes concerns, as does the infiltration itself–but it’s a tricky line to balance if freedoms are to be […]

Taiwan Quick Take: DPP, KMT dress for sovereignty battle

Both the KMT and DPP are campaigning on the battle for sovereignty in this election. KMT candidate Han Kuo-yu has repeatedly campaigned with the warning that this election is about the survival of the Republic of China.  By this it can be assumed he is referring to the ideals, history, name and future of a […]

Taiwan Quick Take: Anti-infiltration bill concerns

That the People’s Republic of China has an active campaign to infiltrate into Taiwan’s society, media, temples and political process is without doubt, and Taiwan is by most international assessments is “ground zero” for the PRC’s United Front activities.  Other countries–most recently Australia–have passed laws targeting similar infiltration activities in their countries.  The threat is […]

Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT) 台灣時事 12.23.2019 Episode 25

This week, hosts Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) and Michael Turton (麥哲恩) delve into the duelling rallies in support of, and calling for the recall of, KMT presidential candidate and Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu. Former president says if President Tsai wins re-election she will raise electricity rates. Tsai’s revival in the polls is no surprise as […]

Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT) 台灣時事 12.23.2019 Episode 25

This week, hosts Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) and Michael Turton (麥哲恩) delve into the duelling rallies in support of, and calling for the recall of, KMT presidential candidate and Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu. Former president says if President Tsai wins re-election she will raise electricity rates. Tsai’s revival in the polls is no surprise as […]

Taiwan Quick Take: Baby Race to the Bottom

Of all the presidential races in Taiwan’s history, this one has had by far the most absurd moments.  Obviously, the absurdity isn’t on the part of President Tsai Ing-wen: It would be tough to find anyone with more discipline in word choices and in action, making even the famously unflappable US President “no drama” Obama […]