Taiwan Report

Taiwan marks the first day in a long time with zero new coronavirus cases! Taiwan has the lowest cases per million of any country in the world. The CECC considers a widespread community outbreak of the type we see around the world might be unlikely in Taiwan. Virus test kits with fast turnarounds could be coming in July, which could be a big boost towards getting back to normal. The govt is creating tons of part-time jobs. Taiwan's airport mulls shutting down one terminal. Singapore's first lady gets Taiwan's media into a sling. More international support for Taiwan. Taiwanese place ad in NYT, but was it worth it the money? Taiwanese baseball to be broadcast in English. Again, very mixed news on the economic front. Taiwan's military to go Iron Man. Czech courts recognize Taiwanese aren't safe in Chinese prisons. And the national carrier name debate heats up. As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

15 Apr 202018min

Current Affairs Taiwan 台灣時事 #40 (04-13-2020) Soft Power and the Propaganda Wars Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) take on the week's news, including China pressuring Taiwan militarily and via a massive propaganda push, updates on the Han Recall and his new lawsuit to try to stop it, the complexities of changing national airline names for Taiwan, a discussion on international media coverage of Taiwan, plans for subsidizing universities now that China is cutting some of their supply of students, the KMT chair Johnny Chiang making some right moves, EU parliament and overseas reaction to Taiwan's soft-power reputation. Note: For clarification, Wisconsin's State Council rejected China's request to pass a bill that would praise China and instead passed a resolution that blasted China. However, this action by China is part of a new aggressive push in a propaganda war. All our podcasts from now on are at anchor.fm/taiwanreport You can find the Current Affairs Podcast on anchor.fm/currentaffairstaiwan As always, follow along with the news and get the latest shows, Taiwan Quick Take, and more at our website Report.tw.

13 Apr 202030min

New coronavirus cases continue to show a strong downward trend, but Taiwan's death toll rises to six. New crowd management measures and a new app are on the way. Taipei gets face mask vending machines. Academia Sinica may have made a crucial breakthrough that possibly may lead to coronavirus treatments. Get coffee every day? Those servers are probably not washing their hands--but help may be on the way. No crowds for baseball? Make them yourself! Transport minister Lin Chia-lung again comments on changing the name of China Airlines. NCC raps CTV over finances. NPP lawmakers are sniffing around Kaohsiung, could a mayoral run be the reason? KMT picks a bigshot to head its online marketing campaign. The Tedros and WHO controversy takes some unexpected turns. Both the US and Chinese militaries have been very active in the region recently. Finally, a report in the People's Daily has me concerned. As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

12 Apr 202023min

Note: There was an error that resulted in the tail end of the show being cut out. This has since been fixed. Only one new coronavirus case, the government claims electronic surveillance is legal, and I look at the law in question, and the new online system for sending masks abroad goes down. Group comments on monkey business. TPP lawmaker makes a move...but don't read too much into...except maybe you should. Premier approves an irrigation bill. Who cares, you ask? It's a big deal, and I'll explain why. Johnny Chiang comments on the 1992 consensus. Will Han's strategy of laying low help him win the recall? The KMT thinks so. US worries on China lead to approval of cable links to Taiwan. US and PRC do flybys. PRC bans students from studying in Taiwan. Taiwan remembers who its friends are. Taiwanese show their outrage at WHO's Tedros by sending nice pictures. Taiwan slaps back at Tedros, showing how Taiwan helps Ethiopia. PRC Doubles down on Tedros' claim of Taiwanese racism. As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

10 Apr 202018min

Taiwan makes more moves on the coronavirus but also makes some breakthroughs that offer hope. Hon Hai has finally found something useful to do with its Wisconsin plant. Taiwan students to the rescue with robots! MOE joins on in banning Zoom. A study shows most disinformation on the coronavirus is imported, no prizes at figuring out from where. Control Yuan steps in on labor insurance for migrant fishers, but will it be implemented? The economic outlook continues to be mixed, and government finances have taken a hit. Han Kuo-yu's lawyer takes legal action to block recall. President Tsai and Japan's Shinzo Abe show public support for each other. Two stories on ties with India, one that may be a big boost for local sports. Taiwan slams Tedros on the claim that Taiwan launched racist attacks against the WHO head. Finally, a lawmaker starts a fire in her office, threatening to burn down the legislature's second building. As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

9 Apr 202023min

Plenty of coronavirus news with more subsidies, face mask rules on their way, but new cases are down, and local scientists make a breakthrough. Taiwan makes moves to bypass the WHA in May. Taiwan to the rescue on the world stage. HK's Carrie Lam defends attack on RTHK, asking about Taiwan's role in the WHO. Taiwan bans Zoom from all official use. French parliamentarians show support. The third runway at Taoyuan Airport gets EPA nod despite explosive concerns. Business news is mixed. NPP accuses President Tsai of breaking her word and demands changes to the Assembly and Parade Act. Johnny Chiang goes back to the future with the Institute of Revolutionary Practice plan to promote party talent. Finally, ahead of schedule, the second-stage signature drive is approved, clearing the way for the recall vote against Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu to go forward in June. As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw. Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

8 Apr 202018min

Current Affairs Taiwan 台灣時事 #39 (04-06-2020) Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) take on the week's news, including the back-and-forth between a KMT lawmaker and Premier Su after the lawmaker said "Taiwan is not a country" as well as proposals on changing the name of China Airlines and what to put in English on the passports. The government has launched a massive, NT$1.05 trillion stimulus package. The BBC continues its rich tradition of inadequate Taiwan coverage, and much more! All our podcasts from now on are at anchor.fm/taiwanreport As always, follow along with the news and get the latest shows, Taiwan Quick Take, and more at our website Report.tw. May Jam in Tainan sponsored this show, for more information visit https://www.mayjam.com/en/

6 Apr 202024min

The CECC sends messages to crowded areas to tell people to keep away from each other and other coronavirus updates. The Taipei Times runs an editorial with creative ideas on how to build consensus on a new name for China Airlines and what to replace the "Republic of China" with on the passports. The second stage results of the Han recall signature drive will be announced in less than two weeks. Foreign Minister Wu takes Hong Kong to task. Some citizens are pushing Taiwan to go to the moon, and finally, a strict application of police procedures leads to a situation that seems more like a parody. As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

5 Apr 202012min