Current Affairs Taiwan

20 year journalist veteran Jason Pan of the Taipei Times joins host Courtney Donovan Smith to discuss the impact and import of the visit of the Czech delegation, recent improvements in US relations including the announcement of trade talks and the declassification of key documents, the KMT and racto-politics and finally the KMT party platform and the party congress.

CAT Kaohsiung election special ft. Michael Smith On this week's program ICRT Southern Taiwan Correspondent Michael Smith joins host (and ICRT's Central Taiwan Correspondent) Donovan Smith to discuss the upcoming Kaohsiung mayoral race, the candidates, their positioning and marketing, the Kaohsiung voter's response and the possible repercussions for the KMT--all with the most knowledgeable English language commentator on southern Taiwan!

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As always, follow along with the news and get the latest shows, Taiwan Quick Take, and more at our website Report.tw

Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) and guest Sean Su (蘇襄) discuss the life and legacy of the late Taiwan President Lee Teng-Hui.

All our podcasts from now on are at https://anchor.fm/taiwanreport

Find the Current Affairs Podcast on https://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

Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) and guest Sean Su (蘇襄) discuss the total blowout regarding Kaohsiung Mayor's Han Kuo-Yu's recall vote, what the scene was like on the ground, how this might be a victory of youth activism against populism and demogoguery, Han and Chiang press conferences, Han's future going forward, what this means for the KMT, who the DPP might choose as interim mayor, and possible DPP and KMT candidates for mayor after that.

All our podcasts from now on are at https://anchor.fm/taiwanreport

Find the Current Affairs Podcast on https://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

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss updates on Kaohsiung Mayor's Han Kuo-Yu's recall vote, President Tsai's second inauguration, a look at 2022 and 2024 elections, TSMC's new US factory plans, KMT as an opposition party, and some punchable punching paunchy punch-offs.

All our podcasts from now on are at https://anchor.fm/taiwanreport

Find the Current Affairs Podcast on https://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

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss national unification goals with unexpected supporters of a related bill, Taiwan withdraws from trying for a spot at the World Health Assembly, Han telling his followers not to go to the recall poll, DPP attempting to get irrigation, farmers and fishers cooperatism under control, a quick pass at the first anniversary of equal marriage in Taiwan, the cabinet resignation and turnover and some names of who might take which positions.

We apologize for some background noise this week as we are still doing remote recordings.

All our podcasts from now on are at https://anchor.fm/taiwanreport

Find the Current Affairs Podcast on https://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

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss some a new race involving giant Matsu statues in Penghu and Taichung and the United Front efforts in Taiwan, the Han Kuo-yu recall updates. Comments on the Milk Tea Alliance and Taiwan's increasing warm power. Finally, talk about how Taiwan has become a more interesting and higher profile nation in the past few months.

All our podcasts from now on are at https://anchor.fm/taiwanreport

Find the Current Affairs Podcast on https://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

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss some new polling showing Hou You-yi is a powerhouse, Han Kuo-yu may be headed to the outhouse, and Johnny Chiang has a house to fix, and it won't be easy. The KMT's prospects in 2022 currently look dire. Is President Tsai "pro-independence?" The Philippines has two different lines on whether they want a Filipina deported from Taiwan for attacking Duterte on Facebook. All our podcasts from now on are at https://anchor.fm/taiwanreport

Find the Current Affairs Podcast on https://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

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu's upcoming recall vote, and explain why and how his joining the KMT's central standing committee is problematic--and why New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-yi was smart to avoid it, and what that might mean for the future of the KMT. The PRC is demanding naturalized Taiwan nationals in Taiwan to comply with their census, and why that is a threat to national security. An armada of illegal sand dredgers from China are shooed off by Taiwan, but it is a sign of growing threat. Taiwanese sports are making it big overseas, and much more! 

All our podcasts from now on are at 

anchor.fm/taiwanreport

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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

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.

Are you wondering where all that sweet daily Taiwan Report News Brief episodes have been moved to? What about those Taiwan Context episodes? They've all been moved to anchor.fm/taiwanreport where you can find all of our podcasts.

Current Affairs Taiwan will stay here though!

Of course they'll have their own individual channels which you can find at www.report.tw

The RCA lawsuits rumble on with a poor result for ex-workers, Taiwan's libraries are booming, CCP mouthpiece Global Times again talks war with Taiwan, Taiwan firms caught up in Uighur horror show and the KMT makes a big statement in their chair by-election!  As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw.  Be sure to subscribe to us on your favorite podcast service.

Taiwan remains a free nation, good news on the coronavirus front, more places block Taiwanese visitors, 3Q takes aim at the Taishang in Wuhan, US House passes TAIPEI act, DPP boots out TAPA members and Johnny Chiang makes a couple of interesting comments.   As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw.  Be sure to subscribe to us on Youtube (and click the bell) or on your favorite podcast service.

Taiwan Report News Brief (03-04-2020) Administration opens the cash floodgates with interesting priorities  Immigrants under the spotlight, problems with the PRC rumble on as coronavirus rages on, the administration goes on a spending spree, govt assures us 2% GDP growth is "no problem" this year in spite of banks downgrading their predictions and the race for the KMT enters the final stretch as Johnny Chiang is accused of being a secret independence supporter and communist fellow-traveller.   As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw.  Be sure to subscribe to us on Youtube (and click the bell) or on your favorite podcast service.

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss the ongoing Fu Kun-chi ("King of Hualien") saga, the KMT chair byelection goes into the final stretch, the interesting lack of endorsements in the KMT chair race, who might run in May 2021, could China Airlines change its name, the coronavirus outbreak and Han Kuo-yu's gaffes at a 228 memorial ceremony. 

Listen to all our other podcasts at our main feed 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/

Drone registration on the horizon, coronavirus cases rise, mixed messages on whether to fear your pets, US severs Taiwan from China — at least on a map, deep drop in traffic at Taoyuan airport, big decisions on the way regarding CKS Memorial, Hau likens KMT reform to "pulling up weeds" and could the King of Hualien become the King of the KMT? As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw.  Be sure to subscribe to us on Youtube (and click the bell) or on your favorite podcast service.

Tough new drunk driving measures are set to kick in, more measures announced in the battle against the coronovirus, including one targeting foreign workers.  The CECC and Health Ministry, however, come out against a crackdown against undocumented caregivers. Ko Wen-je posts a picture of himself when he was 18, and the KMT central standing committee and chair races are heating up.  As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw.  Be sure to subscribe to us on Youtube (and click the bell) or on your favorite podcast service.

Coronavirus spreads and more events close, US senators once again express support, the PRC does another flyby, Taiwan slams the Jimmy Lai arrest, the latest on the KMT chair race and President Tsai steps up on transitional justice.  As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw.

A whole lot of coronavirus (COVID-19) news, US Employees stand up for Taiwan, Taipei tries out self-driving buses, Taiwanese banks increase their exposure to the PRC, some Pan-Blue Gaffes and more...

Euthanasia ban panned Mazu pilgrimage finally delayed, President Tsai scales down inauguration, white terror database released, land use plans panned, ban on euthanasia of strays questioned, govt backs off on prosecuting critics, EPA smacks down Taichung city govt, KMT punts on "king of Hualien" and the KMT chair race continues.

Migrants, Gender Pay Gap, Solar Shining, Public Shaming, Mazu on the March, Illegal Taxi Drivers, and more...

Virus News, Petition to change the name of China Airlines, KMT chair race amid more bad news, huge news with new Taiwan identity poll, China to procure body armor units...

Lots of headlines on the COVID-19 virus, Premiere Su promotes his achievements and extends transitional justice, KMT chair-race voter-count expected to drop.

Virus outbreak prompts government action, and the US reacts, Taiwan pork response to Italy, KMT supports Han amidst Kaohsiung Recall Campaign, A KMT lawmaker's response causes a stir, the case for US-Taiwan free trade agreement is made, Taiwan gains support from Latin-American lawmakers, and politics can't stop this party...

Han Recall Petition, Potential Changes in Exec Yuan, Trouble in KMT, US may target TSMC, Taiwan hits back at Italy, PRC threatens Czech Companies, Pay rises paint slightly brighter future.

This week Michael Turton (麥哲恩) is on vacation (but still is with us this week with a new article on Report.tw), so Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) is joined by Scott Ellinger (陳鷹), former US military and AIT official.  Dragonslayer Jessica Drun took on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the World Health Organization over not providing crucial information to Taiwan due to pressure from China and gets banned from ICAO on Twitter (as was Donovan). AXIOS picked up the story and stirred international attention to the issue.  The KMT reform committee has announced their agenda, intelligently focussing on four of the most crucial issues facing the party--but can they pull any of them off?  Reforming the KMT's cross-strait policies and the 1992 consensus is being talked about by big players in the party, but can they come up with a new formulation that appeases the PRC, satisfies their core base and appeals to the Taiwanese voting public?  The PRC has already sent a shot across the bow to the KMT on the issue...

Johnny Chiang has entered the KMT chair race, but will the party embrace a Taiwanese patronage faction pol?

If you would prefer to listen to the show, our podcast version is at 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.

Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT) 台灣時事 01-20-2020 Episode 29  Hosts Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) tackle the KMT chair race and the many calls for reform of the party, many of which are quite sensible--such as scrapping the 1992 consensus and bringing the party's China policies in line with mainstream public opinion--but will the party enact them. Only two candidates for chair are in the race, but a bunch are on the sidelines and others are trying to push their favorite candidates forward. Also, the recall campaign against Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu has completed phase one and is about to enter phase two. As always, follow along with the news and get the latest shows, Taiwan Quick Take and more at our website Report.tw.

The election results are in and hosts Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) break down what it all means!  President Tsai has been re-elected with a record margin, but Han Kuo-yu also crushed the results of Eric Chu in the last election. Han also unified the pan-blue camp, marginalizing the PFP.  So, what will this mean for the race for the KMT party chair?  Election results pulled up some interesting results for all parties, we look at some of those races.  Demographics and perhaps a cultural shift in the DPP are making the party more at home in the north.  It's an exciting show, one you can't miss! If you would prefer to listen to the show, our podcast version is at anchor.fm/currentaffairstaiwan, and we also have some new shows, including Taiwan Report hosted by Courtney Donovan Smith and Taiwan Context interview hosted by Daniel. As always, follow along with the news and get the latest shows, Taiwan Quick Take and more at our website Report.tw.

The Taiwan Context hosted by Daniel, with special guest Dr. Sang Pu, a Hong Kong current affairs critic with a doctoral degree in legal studies on the recent Taiwan elections, disinformation, fake news, the anti-infiltration bill and more.

A quick dive in the prospects and importance of the most likely third parties to enter the legislature in Saturday's elections, including the Taiwan People's Party, the People First Party, the New Power Party and the Taiwan Statebuilding Party.

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 traveled abroad with--a woman who isn't his wife.  Han reiterates pledge to reform the KMT, and we look into why his support started to wane earlier this year--and not because of Hong Kong as the international media likes to play it.  Foxconn founder Terry Gou is now backing PFP candidate James Soong. Economic news is good on many fronts.  DPP spokesperson describes those who support unification with China as treasonous--which would include most of the top people in the KMT--and stokes up KMT fears right in the aftermath of the passage of the anti-infiltration bill, which leads to a discussion of the bill and former president Ma Ying-jeou's comments on it. Finally, we discuss a particularly tasteless campaign ad. Follow along on Report.tw, as we update what we're paying attention to, with quotes and commentary, daily. NOTE: CAT will be recording a special post-election show next Sunday, not our usual Monday. Tune in to ICRT for election coverage on Saturday, Donovan will be part of that team reporting from Taichung.

This week, host Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) examine a crystal ball and look into 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 preserved.  Socially conservative KMT campaign strategies south of the Zhuoshui River, New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi is tops in the "big six" metropolises and more! Follow along on Report.tw, as we update what we're paying attention to, with quotes and commentary, daily.

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 Mike explains, and Donovan goes into where the DPP is concentrating their rallies.  The Wayne Chiang/Enoch Wu race in Taipei is getting hot--in more ways than one. Global Views has come out with a poll that is very enlightening on several levels, including politically and in regards Taiwanese views on Communist China. It appears Han Kuo-yu is angling for KMT party chair...but current Chair Wu Den-yih is quoted in Mirror Media as saying he's planning to serve out his full term until May 2021...and Mirror Media is saying that the powerful military veteran's group in the KMT has split into factions, which is potentially huge.  Misogyny reappears, but the women support the KMT 10% more than men.  Chiu Yi in in the news again, decent GDP forecasts and more... To get more depth and background in what we're watching, be sure to follow along daily on Report.tw.

This is an inaugural, trial run of what may become several times a week 10-minute report.  Unlike an ICRT news report (which we recommend you listen to throughout the day) this is intended to provide context on political and foreign affairs topics, and to provide background information for our longer weekly show Current Affairs Taiwan.  NOTE: subtitles are edited, and can be added by clicking the "cc" below the video. Topics covered in this show include popular Youtuber Potter King puts out a video with him flirting with President Tsai Ing-wen--but promoter in China objects to her being called "president".  King stands firm, foregoing lots of money to protect the president's dignity...in a video of him flirting with her.  Also, KMT presidential nominee says failure to attract any investors for his promised Kaohsiung "Love River Love Ferris wheel" is the fault of the port authority and Minister of Transportation Lin Chia-lung, a poll shows that Su Tseng-chang's cabinet's satisfaction rating in up and the most popular and widely known cabinet minister is Minister of Transportation Lin Chia-lung, Taiwan's AIDC signs a deal with US defense giant Lockheed Martin to build an F-16 maintenance center in Taichung and why that is potentially a big deal and the CPJ report on Communist China's United Front efforts to undermine press freedom in Hong Kong.

Exciting times, the video has some new graphics and a new look!  Our new website Report.tw is up, and being updated daily with politics and foreign affairs news on Taiwan that we've curated for you, plus original Quick Takes by Donovan, more content from Michael and more coming.  Plus, we're now at a new podcast home, with new graphics and lots of good stuff at currentaffairstaiwan.buzzsprout.com.  This week, hosts Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) cover lots of ground, including New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi finally relenting and campaigning with Han Kuo-yu, and what that might auger. Former New Taipei Mayor and KMT Chair takes over as Han's campaign manager. Han makes some unusual comments on Thailand and Southeast Asian countries.  An interesting local race is taking place up in Taipei between a couple of handsome fellas.  The economy is also looking pretty good and some welcome changes at Taiwan News.  The classic music at the end of our videos will be back next week.

Be sure to check out our new site, Report.tw!  It is integrated with the show, allowing you to see what we're following and commenting on in the news, with the articles that will allow you to go deeper into the topics we discuss.  This week, hosts Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) tackle the latest in election news, and it's all KMT candidate Daniel Han Kuo-yu's campaign sinking in the polls.  Among the topics are Han's coming out in support of marriage equality, allegations of influence peddling when he was a legislator to help his father-in-law's gravel business, the gender gap in support for the DPP and KMT, Han's call for his supporters to say they support his opponent when pollsters call...yup, all around a weird week. Held off on the spy story, that's still developing and much is in the air, let's see what shakes out next week.  Oh, and we have an imaginary sponsor, and it turns out that in fact someone else did not edit this show this week, Donovan once again had a crack at it, which is why it looks eerily similar to previous shows...but tried something new with the lighting, hope you like it.

Hosts Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) and Michael Turton (麥哲恩) are back after the heartbreaking loss of the file of last week's show. KMT Presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu is having trouble getting KMT bigwigs to appear on stage with him, including party chair Wu Den-yih, who is crying a river over his poor lot, none of which is of his creation. Of course the party lists are discussed, and while the DPP's wasn't great, everyone hated the KMT party list--including inside the KMT. The knives are already coming out in anticipation of a big KMT loss in the election for Wu Den-yih's head and the battle for party chair is already being openly discussed. KMT VP candidate doubles down on calling for voters to not vote for the KMT party list, and former legislative speaker Wang Jin-pyng had some interesting comments on Wu. The Chinese Communist Party is once again blaming their Hong Kong problems on Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, the CIA, splittist radicals in Hong Kong, the West in general...anyone but the object of the HK protesters ire: Themselves. And much, much more...