Strait Talk with Xiangyu

Help Guangfu Recover: The town was devastated, and families need support. Please donate or share the GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rebuild-guangfu-township-after-typhoon-ragasa In this episode of Strait Talk, we examine the "ROC" territorial map—a symbol that frequently surfaces in online debates about Taiwan. Both pro- and anti-China voices invoke it for different purposes. Anti-China netizens highlight how the PRC lost territories far larger than Taiwan, while pro-China commentators point to the map as evidence that Taipei still harbors ambitions of reclaiming the Chinese mainland. In reality, the DPP administration today would prefer to abandon these territorial claims entirely, as the map and the "ROC" framework under which it exists function as structural safeguards against "Taiwan independence." This is precisely why Beijing, unlike "pro-China" westerners, does not comment on the map at all. We then trace the long and complex history of Mongolia: how it became part of China, why it remained integrated for centuries, and how China ultimately lost it due to national weakness and foreign interference. For anyone seeking to understand the hard lessons the Chinese people have learned about national strength, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, this episode provides essential historical context. Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

Help Guangfu Recover: The town was devastated, and families need support. Please donate or share the GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rebuild-guangfu-township-after-typhoon-ragasa In this episode of Strait Talk with Xiangyu, I sit down with Angelica, who joined me in disaster relief efforts in Taiwan's Guangfu Township, Hualien County after Typhoon Ragasa. We share firsthand accounts of the widespread destruction, and discuss how government inaction and neglected infrastructure worsened the crisis. We cover: The overflow of the barrier lake at Matai’an Dam The situation we saw on the ground Challenges faced by the people of Guangfu The local community's resilience and cooperation Lessons for disaster preparedness Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

Support my upcoming on-location documentaries and vlogs about Taiwan and the Chinese mainland: https://gofund.me/990ab390 In this episode of Strait Talk with Xiangyu, I sit down with Wang Ping-chung (王炳忠 Wang Bingzhong), one of Taiwan's most outspoken voices for Chinese identity and cross-strait reunification. Together, we break down U.S. foreign policy toward Taiwan under Trump and Biden, shifting public opinion on Washington's role, the opportunism of the DPP, and Wang's personal journey as a defender of Chinese identity in Taiwan. We also discuss in detail how separatist forces in Taiwan systematically altered the education system to breed identity confusion, deliberately undermining Chinese consciousness to make reunification more difficult — even while knowing that "independence" is impossible. This erosion of Chinese identity, as we examine, serves the interests of U.S. hegemony at the direct expense of the people on Taiwan, who are left more divided, more vulnerable, and less able to pursue real long-term prosperity. Topics discussed include: - U.S. shifting attitudes toward Taiwan under Trump and Biden - Why Taiwan is treated more like Ukraine than Israel - Growing skepticism of the U.S. among the people of Taiwn (疑美論) - The DPP's propaganda, opportunism, and power motives - How the de-Sinicization curriculum reshaped identity in Taiwan - Wang Bingzhong's personal political development and fight for Chinese identity If you want to understand Taiwan's politics beyond Western headlines, and how identity itself has been weaponized, this is an STXY episode you won't want to miss. Follow Wang Ping-chung on YouTube and Facebook Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

Support my upcoming on-location documentaries and vlogs about Taiwan and the Chinese mainland: https://gofund.me/990ab390 With the exception of hardline Taiwan separatists, most would not argue that the culture in Taiwan is Chinese at its core. But if that's the case, why has Chinese identity in Taiwan seemed so fragile in recent decades? In this episode, I trace how Taiwan's identity has been shaped and reshaped: from its early feudal Chinese consciousness, through Japanese colonization, the KMT's project of promoting Chinese patriotism, the rise of a Taiwan-centered consciousness, and finally the DPP'’s curriculum reforms and "desinicization" campaigns. We'll explore how history and politics together have contributed to Taiwan's ongoing identity confusion. If you've ever wondered how Taiwan’s identity struggles became what they are today, this episode connects the history, the politics, and the narratives that continue to shape the island. Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

We sit down with Angelica Oung to discuss Taiwan's changing political landscape, her personal journey from DPP supporter to advocating for the status quo, being a born-again Chinese, and what recent events—from mass recalls to legislative drama—reveal about public sentiment. We explore phony grassroots movements, government corruption, and the evolving conversation around identity and reconciliation with the Chinese mainland. Follow Angelica on X Read Angelica's Taipology Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

Scott was born in Taiwan and raised in a pro-DPP household before moving to the U.S. at age 10. Over Taiwan Beer, we trace his political journey from identifying with Taiwan separatism to supporting Chinese reunification and questioning liberal democracy itself. We talk about what triggered his shift in perspective, how his views evolved over time, and how his experience relates with broader political trends in Taiwan today. Follow Scott on X Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

The First Sino-Japanese War is often overlooked, but in many ways, it mirrors the Korean War that would erupt 56 years later. A declining regional power clashed with a rising empire over Korea, setting off events that would reshape East Asia. In this first episode of the series, we examine the mistakes of China's Qing Government, the crises shaking Korea, and Japan's growing ambitions—all of which set the stage for a war that ended in China's humiliating defeat, which included the cession of Taiwan Province to Japan. Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

Why is Japanese colonial rule remembered so differently in Taiwan than in Korea? In this episode, we dive deep into the Japanese colonization of Taiwan to unpack that question. From addressing the land question and carrying out irrigation projects to strategic co-optation of local elites and the brutal Kominka assimilation campaign, we explore how Japan engineered long-term compliance—and how the KMT's postwar repression inadvertently helped to erase anti-Japanese resistance from public memory. With colonization came modernization in Taiwan, but who paid for it? This is the story of exploitation disguised as development, and how selective memory shapes public opinion to this day. The content of this episode is also available in article form Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

What happens when someone raised at the heart of the Taiwan separatist movement walks away from it all? In this episode, we sit down with the son of a well-known longtime activist — someone who grew up steeped in the rhetoric of FAPA, WUFI, and various Taiwan separatist organizations back when a sizeable portion of the movement operated from exile. Once surrounded by ideological fervor, he now views Taiwan separatism as a political dead end and instead advocates for cross-strait reconciliation — doing business on the mainland and even self-identifying as a fellow traveler of the CPC! We talk about the class and demographic makeup of the Taiwan lobby in America, how many of its early members came from benshengren PMC families, and why the movement rarely included working-class or waishengren voices. We trace how the Taiwan separatist movement was deeply shaped by the New Left in America, how groups like WUFI once plotted assassinations and terrorist attacks, and how the KMT responded with its own dark alliances — including targeted killings in coordination with organized crime. From the rise of the DPP to the weaponization of wokeness, we explore how Taiwan's politics are entangled with American ideological currents. And we ask hard questions: Why do second-gen ABCs so often get recruited into causes they barely understand? What happens when identity politics becomes a tool of empire? And how do we move forward — honestly, pragmatically, and with historical clarity? Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

How has the Communist Party of China’s approach to the Taiwan question evolved over time? In this episode, we trace the historical arc of the CPC’s Taiwan strategy—from its revolutionary roots to the pragmatic framework that defines cross-strait relations today. We break down key turning points from 1949 to the present to understand how and why the CPC’s approach to the Taiwan question has evolved—from an early emphasis on military liberation, to a pragmatic shift toward peaceful reunification, to the quasi-normalization of cross-strait engagement beginning in the late 1980s, and finally to the firm red lines outlined in the 2005 Anti-Secession Law. This is essential listening for anyone who wants to cut through the noise and understand the deeper context behind Beijing’s current posture toward Taipei. The content of this episode can also be read in article form Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

In this episode, we touch on the question that's on many people's minds: will the US intervene in the event of a war across the Taiwan Strait? We do this by breaking down "The Taiwan Fixation: American Strategy Shouldn’t Hinge on an Unwinnable War," an article by US foreign policy insiders Jennifer Kavanagh and Stephen Wertheim. Despite being staunch defenders of US hegemony, thoroughly embedded in the American foreign policy establishment, the authors warn against US military intervention in a Taiwan Strait conflict—proposing instead a "porcupine strategy:" arm Taiwan in ways that complicate a PLA attack, but not to win a war. This strategy isn't just about deterrence—it's also a cash cow. The true winnners are defense contractors and politicians who receive kickbacks from the arms trade, and experts admit these weapons won't stop the PLA from launching or winning a war. The people of Taiwan spend billions to raise tensions without security guarantees. We go deeper into why the U.S. is backing away from military commitment—strategically, economically, and politically—and examine the short-sightedness and careless of the Lai Ching-te administration. While bending to US pressure on defense spending and TSMC relocation, it risks dragging the people of Taiwan into a war they'll be expected to fight alone. The rhetoric may still sound soft on Beijing to some—but it is in reality a well thought scam. The content of this episode can also be read in article form Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

In this episode of STXY, I sit down with Slava, a member of the American Communist Party who was born and raised in Ukraine, to discuss Ukraine’s place in the ongoing struggle between Western hegemony and multipolar resistance. We examine the historical and political forces that turned Ukraine into a battleground between Russia and NATO, as well as the evolution of its national consciousness. To what extent is Ukraine a sovereign actor versus a pawn in a larger geopolitical game? And how does its situation compare to the complex situation between China's Taiwan and mainland? What lessons can the people on Taiwan learn from the cautionary tale of Ukraine? Join us as we cut through the propaganda and analyze Ukraine’s role in the shifting global order. Follow Slava on X Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

The February 28th Incident of 1947 is widely remembered as a tragic moment in Taiwan’s history, but the way it has been framed and exploited over the years reveals a story of political opportunism. The scarcity of accurate English-language information has further enabled well-meaning Western commentators to unknowingly distort the event. In this episode of STXY, we examine what truly happened in 1947 and explore how and why the 228 Incident has been misrepresented by political actors—shaping a false collective memory whose impact is still deeply felt in Taiwan today. The content of this episode can be read in article form on my newsletter. Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

Taiwan’s ruling DPP is using lawfare in an attempt to crush opposition, deploying politically motivated prosecutions while international media looks the other way. Despite 150,000 people taking to the streets in protest last month, there’s been near-total silence from mainstream outlets outside of Taiwan. In this episode of STXY, we take a look at what's going on, and why the DPP is becoming increasingly anti-democratic. The content of this episode has also been published in article form for those who prefer reading on my newsletter. Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

In this episode of STXY, I sit down with my friend Lin Chi-yu, who shares his journey from being a passionate supporter of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to being an ardent critic. We explore what initially drew him to the party, the experiences that led to his disillusionment, and his evolving thoughts on Taiwan's future. Lin offers candid insights into Cross-Strait relations, US-Taiwan dynamics, and the broader political landscape, tackling many questions submitted by you, our listeners. This conversation provides a nuanced look at the complexities of political identity and Taiwan’s uncertain path forward. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion you won’t want to miss! Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

In this episode of STXY, we dissect the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) accusations of "undemocratic behavior" against the opposition's recent amendments to three key laws. As the opposition—now the majority in the legislature—pushes forward with these revisions, the DPP's response has been anything but democratic. From mobilizing supporters to surround the legislative building to starting brawls inside the legislative building, their actions paint a stark contrast to their rhetoric. Join us as we break down the specifics of these amendments, the hypocrisy behind the DPP's stance, and what this means for Taiwan's political landscape. Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

In an embarrassing turn of events, Taiwan's ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), publicly expressed support on social media for Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law in south Korea before quickly deleting the post amid public backlash. Once at the forefront of the fight to end the Kuomintang's martial law and establish liberal democracy in Taiwan, the DPP is now facing intense criticism for seemingly adopting the very actions it once condemned. As tensions escalate in Taiwan amid strained Sino-American relations, this episode scrutinizes the rhetoric surrounding Taiwan's supposed role as a beacon of democratic values in East Asia. Join us as we explore the contradictions, PR disasters, and the disturbing rise of anti-democratic rhetoric within the DPP's agenda.   Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram

In this episode of STXY, we talk about one of Taiwan's most secretive and controversial chapters—the rise and fall of its nuclear weapons program. From covert uranium enrichment deals with South Africa to advanced warhead designs tested at hidden sites, we trace the decades-long journey of the KMT's nuclear ambitions. Discover how researchers achieved breakthroughs, like plutonium production, and the lengths Taipei went to mask its intentions under civilian cover stories. This episode unpacks the intricate web of espionage, technology, and geopolitics that defined Taiwan’s brush with nuclear weapons—and what it reveals about the delicate balance between security and global alliances. Tune in for a riveting exploration of this high-stakes chapter in history.   Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram All Strait Talk links

In this episode of STXY, we unpack the recent Joint Sword 2024B military drill and what it signals about the complex dynamics between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. With recent developments in cross-strait relations, we examine the strategic intentions behind these exercises and analyze the broader implications for security, diplomacy, and regional stability. We'll also explore how the drill reflects ongoing shifts in military preparedness and messaging, from strategic posturing to potential scenarios impacting both sides of the Strait. Tune in for a nuanced conversation that seeks to go beyond the headlines and uncover the deeper geopolitical moves shaping the region's future. Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram All Strait Talk links

On the occasion of the 113th Posthumous Birthday of the "Republic of China," we delve into the remnants of the former Chinese government that passed at the young age of 38. After 1949, the Republic of China ceased to exist as a living entity, yet its name has lingered, haunting Taiwan for over seven decades, constantly redefined by various political actors––like different souls reanimating the same corpse. Join us as we unpack this political soulbinding and explore how figures from Chiang Kai-shek to Lai Ching-te, with their differing convictions, have reanimated this political zombie. Support Strait Talk on Patreon Become a member of Strait Talk's YouTube channel Make a one-time donation to Strait Talk through Buy Me a Coffee, CashApp, or Venmo Follow Xiangyu on X and more Subscribe on YouTube and Telegram All Strait Talk links