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The Taiwanology podcast is produced by Taiwan’s CommonWealth Magazine, where we discuss Taiwan’s geopolitics, technology and culture, and why they matter to the rest of the world.
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As the world marks two years since the October 7 conflict, peace feels more distant than ever. Israeli peace educator Roi Silberberg and Palestinian scholar Hazem Almassry share deeply personal stories—from childhood in Gaza to life in a shared Jewish-Arab village. They reflect on Gaza’s devastation, Israel’s militarized “normal,” and Taiwan’s own security, arguing that peace begins not with agreements, but with dialogue. 03:00 — Hazem’s childhood in Gaza and path to Taiwan 09:50 — Roi’s journey into peace education 20:15 — Family under siege: Hazem's life and loss in Gaza 30:56 — The fellows' Kinmen visit and Taiwan’s “front line” identity 35:00 — The power in the choice of word "genocide" Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guests: Hazem Almassry, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Academia Sinica Roi Silberberg, Director of School for Peace Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read about Taiwan： https://english.cw.com.tw ＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw Powered by Firstory Hosting
Taiwan is at an energy crossroads. After decades of debate, a recent referendum revealed that over 70% favor restarting its last nuclear power plant. What does this shift mean for Taiwan’s energy security? We sit down with Danny Chang, former chairman of Star Buck Power Corp, to unpack Taiwan’s nuclear dilemma and why the island is rethinking its position on nuclear power. 0:00 – How Taiwan’s latest referendum sparks debate on nuclear power 6:00 – Why Taiwan’s anti-nuclear stance is rooted in history 10:30 – Shifting opinions: costs, climate change, and rising power demand 17:04 – Japan and the U.S. show how nuclear comebacks happen 24:27 – Can renewables meet Taiwan’s ambitious energy goals? Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Kuor hsin Chang, former Chairman of Star Buck Power Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Tracking Taiwan's nuclear debates：https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4287 ＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw Powered by Firstory Hosting
Taiwan’s largest military exercise, the Han Kuang drills, now includes a supermarket chain helping with evacuation plans. With China’s military pressure near-constant, Taiwan is expanding its defense strategy to include asymmetric warfare, civil defense, and psychological readiness. Silva Shih, CommonWealth Magazine's defense reporter, joins us to explain how Taiwan is preparing—and what could still be missing. - 3:10 Why does Taiwan’s defense conversation feel more urgent this year? - 8:08 The major trends observed through a PLA activities dashboard - 14:20 What's new with this year's Han Kuang military drills? - 19:45 Taiwan’s largest supermarket chain joined the drills. What does that tell us? - 22:16 How worried should Taiwan be about a blockade or gray-zone harassments? Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Silva Shih, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Check out CommonWealth's PLA activities dashboard: https://www.cw.com.tw/graphics/pla-activities-around-taiwan-en/ ＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw Powered by Firstory Hosting
In 2025, Taiwan is witnessing an unprecedented wave of citizen-led recall campaigns targeting lawmakers—mostly from the opposition Kuomintang. Branded the “mass recall” movement, it raises a question: is this a genuine expression of civic outrage, or a politically driven power play? To unpack the roots and implications of this political upheaval, we speak with Nathan Batto, political scientist and author of the Frozen Garlic blog. - 8:10 How does the Sunflower Movement connect to today’s recall wave? - 12:02 What sparked this massive recall push? Perspectives from both sides - 18:45 Is the movement truly grassroots—or party-driven? - 21:50 Why hasn’t the KMT been able to mobilize as effectively? - 30:55 Is mass recall Taiwan’s only option for breaking political deadlock? - 34:01 How might the results affect Taiwan’s geopolitical position? Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Nathan Batto, Associate Research Fellow at Academia Sinica, Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read CommonWealth's explainer on the mass recall and its implications：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 global powers pour billions into the hydrogen economy, Taiwan is just getting started. In this episode, we ask: Is Taiwan ready for the hydrogen economy? Could hydrogen be Taiwan’s next move for energy security and net-zero goals? We explore what it will take for Taiwan to catch up, from industrial policy to infrastructure. - 03:30 From flour to fuel: How Linde LienHwa evolved into a hydrogen leader - 07:40 Why hydrogen? What makes it a game-changer in energy - 10:02 Hydrogen on the move: Its role in decarbonizing transportation - 16:00 Taiwan’s challenge: Building up hydrogen infrastructure - 22:00 Rethinking energy: What must change in Taiwan’s infrastructure to go net-zero Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guests: Christine Miao, Vice President of Corp. Communications & Head of Hydrogen Mobility, Linde LienHwa & Toby Collins, Managing Director of Lien Hwa New Energy Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Learn what’s holding back Taiwan’s renewable energy ambitions — and what it will take to overcome. https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3689 ＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw Powered by Firstory Hosting
With Trump's return, the push for tariffs, reshoring, and a "great manufacturing renaissance" is gaining momentum. But what does reindustrialization actually look like—and where does Taiwan fit into this vision? Our guest, Jack Hou, COO of Universal Cement, shares insights from both sides of the Pacific, including how he helped turn around his family business and what it would take to rebuild manufacturing in the U.S. - The mood in Boston and New York about a second Trump term [05:40] - Can high tariffs bring manufacturing back to the U.S.? [13:14] - A case study from Taiwan: How Universal Cement engineered a turnaround [18:17] - What it takes to spark a manufacturing renaissance in America [23:17] - The opportunities for Taiwan to play a role in America's reindustrialization [28:00] Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Jack Hou, COO, Universal Cement Corporation Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more about Taiwan's manufacturers are rethinking their strategies going forward: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4068 ＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw Powered by Firstory Hosting
What does it mean when the world’s most advanced chipmaker—Taiwan’s TSMC—pledges $100 billion to make advanced chips in the US? It’s more than just a business move. In this episode, we explore the geopolitical stakes, national security concerns, and the race for tech dominance between the U.S. and its rivals. Our guest, Jeremy Chang, CEO of Taiwan’s think tank DSET, joins us to unpack how this historic investment might reshape the global semiconductor landscape—and whether TSMC can remain at the top. - [2:45] How Taiwan’s first tech geopolitics think tank got its start - [9:10] The tight rope: Taiwan’s delicate balancing act - [15:12] Why the U.S. is hungry for advanced chips—and what AI has to do with It - [19:10] Will betting big on the U.S. hurt TSMC’s edge? - [22:10] If America makes its own chips, is Taiwan still worth defending? Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Jeremy Chih Cheng Chang, CEO of DSET Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more about the insider information surrounding TSMC's investment in Intel: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4006 ＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw Powered by Firstory Hosting
Donald Trump’s return to the White House is shaking up the global semiconductor industry. Rumors are swirling that he wants TSMC to bail out Intel, raising big questions about Taiwan’s role in the U.S.-China tech war. Could TSMC realistically “save” its American rival? And what does this mean for Taiwan’s long-term competitiveness and the so-called Silicon Shield? We break it all down with Rocky Uriankhai, a leading expert on geopolitics and tech. - How Taiwan became a semiconductor powerhouse [3:40] - Why are there rumors that Trump wants TSMC to help Intel? [6:45] - Why isn’t TSMC’s U.S. fab expansion enough? [12:10] - What are the real scenarios for TSMC “saving” Intel? [14:30] - Could this jeopardize TSMC’s long-term competitiveness? [19:35] - Why the "Silicon Shield" might not protect Taiwan [25:35] Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guests: Rocky Uriankhai, CEO of SciTech Power Research ＊Read more about the insider information surrounding TSMC's investment in Intel: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3971 ＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw Powered by Firstory Hosting
In late February, RightsCon, often nicknamed the Burning Man of human rights activism, takes place in Taiwan for the first time. This four-day event is expected to bring together thousands of activists, policymakers, and tech leaders to tackle pressing issues at the intersection of human rights and the digital age. What can we expect and why Taipei was picked to be the host city? - How Access Now and RightsCon began [6:40] - Why Raman left Google to join Access Now [9:25] - The origins of RightsCon [16:17] - What to expect at this year's RightsCon in Taipei [19:40] - Why Access Now chose Taipei this year [23:00] - What Taiwan's unique geopolitical position mean for digital rights [29:25] Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guests: Raman Jit Singh Chima, Senior International Counsel and Asia Pacific Policy Director of Access Now; Jason Liu, Senior Policy Analyst of Access Now ＊Listen to the interview with Taiwan's Digital Minister: https://open.firstory.me/story/clyxmnib90fbm01xr7dhu5vgp ＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw Powered by Firstory Hosting
Taiwan is renowned for its world-class semiconductor manufacturing, but it’s not often recognized as a hub for software startups. So why did Appier, an AI-driven marketing tech company, choose Taiwan as its base—and how did it become the island’s first AI software unicorn? In this episode, co-founder Chih-han Yu shares the lessons learned from eight (!) failures. - What is Appier, and who are its customers? [4:30] - Eight failures and their lessons [10:54] - The ‘aha’ moment: Combining AI and marketing [14:32] - Why Taiwan? Returning from the U.S. to build a software startup [19:40] - Why Tokyo was the go-to market [26:14] - Looking ahead: How Taiwan can foster more software unicorns [34:00] Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Chih-han Yu, CEO and Co-founder of Appier ＊Read more about Appier's journey: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=2950 ＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw Powered by Firstory Hosting
As President-elect Trump returns to the White House, the stakes for U.S.-Taiwan relations are at an all-time high. Wenchi Yu, a renowned global affairs advisor and expert in cross-border strategy, offers her perspective on navigating the intricate dynamics among the U.S., Taiwan, and China during these volatile times. What can we expect from Donald Trump’s second term? - The mood in Washington, D.C., as Trump returns to power [09:17] - How Trump’s second term may differ from his first [11:39] - Will Trump’s approach to China shift this time around? [13:28] - What Taiwan can anticipate under Trump 2.0 [19:05] - Is Taiwan’s “Silicon Shield” losing its strength? [23:40] Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Wenchi Yu, Research Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more about how Taiwan can navigate Trump's second term: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3812 ＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw Powered by Firstory Hosting
Did you know Taiwan’s first Olympic medal was a silver in the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics? CK Yang finished just behind his close friend Rafer Johnson of the US. Their story is one of fierce competition and lifelong camaraderie, now told in the new documentary Decathlon: The CK Yang & Rafer Johnson Story. In this episode, we dive into this incredible tale with journalist Mike Chinoy and producer James Liu of Joint Pictures. - Mike Chinoy shares how he became involved in the project. [01:09] - The filmmakers discuss their decision to use animation to recreate key scenes. [07:25] - Exploring Johnson's reputation in the United States. [16:43] - Insights into the unique friendship between Rafer Johnson and CK Yang. [22:35] - Examining why CK Yang's legacy has faded in Taiwan over time. [28:00] - Reflecting on the significance of this decathlon story in today’s world. [36:38] Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Mike Chinoy, former CNN Beijing bureau chief & James Liu, founder of Joint Pictures Producer: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more about Taiwan's participation in the Olympic Games: 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
In this Episode: We sit down with Gunter Pauli, a visionary entrepreneur, author, and the driving force behind the "Zero Emissions" and "Blue Economy" movements. Known as "the Steve Jobs of Sustainability" and "the Che Guevara of Sustainability," Gunter discusses groundbreaking ideas and the future of sustainable innovation. From pioneering the first zero-emissions factory to shaping global supply chains, Gunter's insights are a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating a sustainable future. What You’ll Learn: [12:30] How Gunter’s First Zero-Emissions Factory Became a Marketing Phenomenon [17:00] The True Meaning Behind the Blue Economy [26:10] Meeting Stan Shih, Founder of Acer [29:10] Taiwan’s Role in Sustainable Innovation [32:00] Why "Who Will Pay for That?" is the Wrong Question [41:25] What’s Wrong with COPs? [48:10] How Gunter believes we can inspire the next generation of innovators. Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Gunter Pauli, entrepreneur, economist, and author of "The Blue Economy" Producer: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read about the crucial role Taiwan plays in building the world's supply chain: 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
In this episode, we dive into female entrepreneurship and why it deserves greater attention. How can communities create an environment that enables and empowers women to thrive as business leaders? Our guest, Wingee Sin, Global Program Director of the Cartier Women’s Initiative, shares her inspiring journey. From starting her career in investment banking to transitioning into a global role supporting women's entrepreneurship, Wingee’s path includes a fascinating stint as a chef in renowned restaurants across Paris, Mexico City, and Bangkok. - How Wingee started in the capital markets. [03:43] - Wingee's one year away as a chef. [08:08] - How Wingee discovered Cartier's women initiative. [12:20] - On women entrepreneurship ecosystems in Taiwan and elsewhere. [15:45] - Why and how Cartier supports communities for female entrepreneus. [20:47] Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Wingee Sin, Global Program Director, Cartier Women’s Initiative Producer: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read about how migrant women are enriching Taiwan's economy: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3450 ＊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
President Donald Trump is making a political comeback. What has driven him to victory? And what could this mean for US-Taiwan and US-China relations? To break it all down, we’re joined by Silva Shih, CommonWealth’s sharp-eyed China and defense correspondent. Reporting directly from two key battlegrounds—Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Miami, Florida—Silva brings us the pulse of the American voter. She shares firsthand stories from people grappling with pressing issues like inflation and takes us inside the rallies of both candidates. 03:10 - The difference between a Trump rally and a Harris rally 06:56 - Why Trump won so decisively 16:00 - What does Trump’s “protection fee” comment reveal? 22:11 - Where are U.S.-China relations headed next? Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Silva Shih, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Producer: Yayuan Chang,Weiru Wang ＊Read about the impact of Trump 2.0 to Taiwan's economy: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3812 ＊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
Where can you experience pilotless aircraft, autonomous cars, and service robots all in one place? Surprisingly, it's not the US or Germany, but China. Today, we sit down with Yixuan Lin to dive into China's remarkable technological strides, even amid international sanctions and mounting global pressures. What does this mean for the rest of the world, and what challenges lie ahead for China's ambitious tech future? 04:05 - What's it like to test-drive Huawei's autonomous car? 06:04 - The sci-fi film like robot expo in Beijing 08:51 - What is the "Made in China 2025" strategy? 13:40 - How does China bypass western sanctions on tech goods? 15:00 - What does Huawei's 2012 R&D compound reveal? 19:54 - Can China continue to prosper despite sanctions? 22:10 - Do sanctions work anyway? Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Yixuan Lin, Senior Reporter of CommonWealth Magazine Producer: Weiru Wang ＊Read about China's tech ambitions 2025: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3789 ＊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
Virginia is home to a third of the world’s data centers, serving as a critical backbone of the internet — and a battleground over power and land. CommonWealth's Senior Writer Elaine Huang visited Ashburn’s famed Data Center Alley, where she saw firsthand the mounting tension as locals brace for a showdown over electricity and space. Could Taiwan be next to face these challenges? 09:03 - Who is the key person behind Ashburn's data center boom? 10:20 - Why are locals concerned about the development of data centers in the region? 15:19 - How local residents feel about having data centers as neighbors 17:50 - Could Taiwan face a power shortage because of Generative AI? 22:16 - Why tech giants are investing in their own power sources Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Elaine Huang, Elaine Huang of CommonWealth Magazine Producer: Weiru Wang ＊Read about Elaine's trip to Virgina and what it means to Taiwan: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3782 ＊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
Cybersecurity is emerging as a crucial topic. For Taiwan, the island nation finds itself in a unique position, both as a global tech leader and a target in the changing geopolitical landscape. According to a 2021 estimation, Taiwan undergoes 20 to 40 million cyberattacks a month. What can Taiwan do to strengthen its cybersecurity awareness and skills? We hear from Heather Adkins, Google VP of Security Engineering and a founding member of Google's security team. 9:40 - Can anything be done about ransomeware? 12:00 - What makes Taiwan's cybersecurity situation unique? 17:40 - How can Taiwan's civil society and businesses strengthen their cybersecurity resilience? 23:02 - Critical infrastructure: how can we better stress test? 28:25 - What kind of new threats does Generative Artificial Intelligence bring? Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Heather Adkins, Google VP of Security Engineering Producer: Weiru Wang ＊Read more about how Taiwan is cracking down on cyberfraud: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3572 ＊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
98% of marathon runners use Garmin devices to track their progress. Either you drive a Ford, Toyota or BMW, chances are your car uses Garmin's GPS system. Garmin's wearable devices are also loved by pilots, divers and triathletes. How did this company co-founded by a Taiwanese engineer come to dominate the business of navigation? 05:10 - What was Garmin's founding story? 09:15 - How did Garmin find a niche market in navigation? 14:20 - Why Garmin dominates the car navigation market? 20:00 - How Garmin works with big automakers Host: Kwangyin Liu Guest: Jay Shen, Managing Director of ASIA Automotive OEM Group of the Garmin Group Producer: Weiru Wang ＊Read about Garmin's competitive edge in technology: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=252 ＊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's trade performance has been at its strongest. The share of Taiwan’s exports going to the U.S. has steadily risen from 12% in 2016 to 22.3% in the first quarter of this year. For the first time in 20 years, The US became Taiwan’s largest export market. However, if forTrump comes back in November, Taiwan will face a US president who sees trade deficits as the enemy. He has been gloating ideas about increasing tariffs and taking back chip manufacturing. What would all this mean for Taiwan and is there anything we could do about it? 07:25 - How has Taiwan's economy benefited from trade? 16:16 - Taiwan's responsie to the US re-shoring strategy 18:10 - What would Trump's second term mean for Taiwan's economy? 21:15 - When things become more expensive because of tariffs, who will pay? Host: Kwangyin Liu Guest: Daniel Liu, Director of Regional Development Study Center, Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research Producer: Weiru Wang ＊Read about Taiwan's ventures in Southeast Asia as a result of the "friendshoring" strategy: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3542 ＊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
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