Headlines

In a bit of a change of pace, in this episode we look into a lighter subject: The role of social media in local politics, and the amusing handles some politicians have taken.

NOTE: This episode was recorded 6 days ago and was only published now due to technical problems.

Taiwan is to establish a “Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania” and CCP flips out. Halifax defense and security forum to meet in Taipei. US military plane lands with package for new AIT head Oudkirk, and CCP flips out again.

Three KMT-run counties and KMT want to buy vaccines, government says no. What’s curious is who is behind it, and who isn’t. KMT also suing Health Minister and CECC head Chen and head of the FDA over local vaccine approval.

Neither the DPP nor the CEC are doing the KMT any favours. Polling shows DPP and KMT continue to lose support, but lost supporters aren’t to ‘no party’, but other parties--and TPP is now less than 3% behind the KMT.

A recent My Formosa poll showed the demographic with strongest “faith in” Ko P came from...deep blues! That’s striking considering Ko pitches himself as a centrist. However, a just-released video suggests Ko may now be pitching himself to those voters.

New information has surfaced on subject of yesterday’s show: warring over elections. EY absentee voting proposal is only for referendums, and KMT & DPP appear to be politicking on whether it will apply in December. Chen’s recall date is now “tentative”.

Important people involved: Jessica Chen (陳玉珍), Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文), Chen Po-wei (陳柏惟)

The third “revenge recall” is set for Taiwan Statebuilding Party lawmaker Chen Po-wei for Aug. 28--but the Aug. 28 referendums were bumped to December. KMT continues to push for absentee ballots, and shockingly the Executive Yuan will propose a draft.

This week saw a break in the trend of Monday having the lowest Covid case count. KMT raises death rate questions. KMT figures jump the vaccine queue, but a DPP accusation doesn’t hold up. Miaoli lifts lockdown on foreign workers.

The Japanese de-facto embassy raises the flag at a curious time. TSMC and Foxconn are making bold moves toward world domination. Food delivery drivers are to be offered to join a union, but will heavy traffic nix it?

Transcript: https://report.tw/headlines-apr-21-food-delivery-driver-union/

Seven indicted over train crash and transport minister Lin is resigning and heading back to Taichung. The European trade office director slams the KMT...at a KMT event. The Canadian government is humiliated after bullying on China's behalf.

Transcript: https://report.tw/taiwan-headlines-apr-17-2021/

KMT scoffs at MOI suggestion to change emblem, accuses DPP of distracting from train crash. Government puts on brave face as drought deepens. GDP growth predictions stellar, time to crack open the XO? New West Asia Formosa Club founded.

KMT scoffs at MOI suggestion to change emblem, accuses DPP of distracting from train crash. Government puts on brave face as drought deepens. GDP growth predictions stellar, time to crack open the XO? New West Asia Formosa Club founded. 

COVAX vaccines arrive. Legal challenge to one remaining marriage equality barrier. Hsinta power plant to go coal-free. White Wolf subpoenaed over "red troops" recruit. BBC China correspondent comes here. Support from Belgium and France. North Korea isn't developing Taiwan's submarines.

Transcript: https://report.tw/taiwan-headlines-apr-5-2021/

Worst train wreck in decades. Water cut two days a week in Central Taiwan. Mortality rate drops 30%. Short-term property sales taxes upped. Questions on transitional justice. Lots more great business news. PLAAF incursions spiking. WHO takes Taiwan cash.

Transcript: https://report.tw/taiwan-headlines-apr-4-2021/

Central Taiwan will be on "red" water alert. Digital ministry proposal. Big infrastructure budget. Economy "red" hot. KMT's Hung supports PRC propaganda channel. MAC survey. Paraguay, Palau pressured to drop Taiwan. Taiwan supports anti-PRC united front. Lithuania wants trade office.

Transcript here: https://report.tw/taiwan-headlines-mar-26-2021/

A public opinion poll has some interesting results with superficially contradictory results. Jaw Shaw-kong is making some unusual moves and stoking speculation on him and Dan Han. F-5 fighters in another crash. Taiwan's economy continues to boom, setting more records.

Referendums picking up momentum. Polling turns up some interesting results, most think the US wants to "exploit" Taiwan. MOEA warns on water. Lithuanian elites establish pro-Taiwan group. New MAC head wants to reach out to PRC, but they slap back.

Transcript at: https://report.tw/taiwan-headlines-mar-22-2021/

Vaccines to launch. Taiwan tops 1000 cases. Big budget for water infrastructure. MND wants far-strike capabilities. MOFA expands Europe education ties. PRC bullying in space. NPOs easier to open. US-Japan worry on Taiwan Strait. PRC tries to bully French senator.

Want Want drops FT case. TRA union strike for more working hours. Ma says 1C2S dead. UN map erases Taiwan's gender equality progress. US Indo-pac commander says PRC may attack within six years. Blinken wants trade deal with Taiwan.

Foreign workers get extension. Vaccines near launch. Taichung's MRT to relaunch. Pot penalties reduced for "personal use". Investigators raid companies poaching Taiwan talent. Central Bank admits US may declare Taiwan a "currency manipulator". Pompeo explains why he dropped Taiwan restrictions.

Water reservoirs dangerously low. 43% of women harassed at work. DPP poll shows Eric Chu way ahead to win KMT chair race. Referendums likely a go. China's MOFA says US 'playing with fire' on Taiwan. Taiwan, Palau contemplate "travel bubble".

Irrigation agency to pray to Matsu. Chen Po-wei recall passes first hurdle. Jaw vows to train 1000 influencers. KMT fights irrigation nationalization. Mixed NSP news. Guam removes Taiwan from "Greater China". US Indo-pac commander worried. Chinese Premier speaks on Taiwan.

Court rules same-sex marriage ban on foreign nationals from countries that ban it illegal. Taiwan #6 in economic freedom. Taiwan ties with Eswatini and Somaliland deepen. Lithuania to boost ties. Flanders and Japan support Taiwan. US embassy meet in Japan.

Jaw attacks Tsai administration over China. Sean Lien mulls KMT chair run. Government to subsidize 5G base stations. Taiwan's economy nears overheating. Australia supports Taiwan pineapple. White House calls Taiwan "critical security partner". Congress bill to diplomatically recognize Taiwan introduced.

Vaccines have arrived. Will the media obsession with Jaw end soon? Local demand for pineapples thwarts China. Local training fighter begins operational tests. Reuters interviews Johnny Chiang. President Tsai honoured overseas. USTR slams Taiwan trade, in spite of Tsai's efforts.

After China ban, local support for pineapples succeeding. Big budget for referendum. Eric Chu goes on tour. Big AIoT investment. Manufacturing sentiment hits 13-year high. Lawmakers sound alarm on United Front work in indigenous communities. Taiwan supplanting Confucius Institutes.

Matsu Pilgrimage gets Matsu's goahead. DPP suspends 3 lawmakers amid factional fight. Legislator Su quits DPP over SOGO case, but raises suspicions. Unemployment down, retail sales up. Hong Kongers moving in, but not one pro-communist family. China halts pineapple imports.

CECC shuffles around pandemic policies. Premier Su defends "Wuhan pneumonia" usage after Jaw says it dishonours China. Chiang and Ko downplay a KMT-TPP tie-up. TSMC hoarding water. Moody's upbeat on Taiwan. January exports hit record high.

Chinese children of locals get reprieve. Co-organizer pulls out of 228 event due to Ma invite. Jaw calls for parliamentary system. NDC to determine what "digital talent" is. Ma accuses US of infringing ROC sovereignty. WTO rep meets US counterpart.

Foreigners to be allowed back in and vaccines are coming. Chiang announced he'll run for KMT chair, but not president. KMT troubles in Taoyuan. Ko joins KMT forum. Su's popularity dips. Intelligence officers indicted. DGBAS predicts GDP, NT$ up.

Rapid COVID test developed. TSMC ahead of schedule on 3nm. Amazon teams up with Foxconn in India. Mayor quits KMT. Big bucks for buses. KMT objects to NCC over Jaw. Space agency on the way. Biden team wants chips fast.

Coalition marches on 228, calls for liquidation of KMT. NDC predicts strong growth. Major shakeup of national security team. Taiwan welcomes new WTO head. Trouble in the Senkakus. US support for WHO entry. Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act is back.

BioNTech reverses position on vaccines. Johnny Chiang on Time's 100 Next list. Jaw making statements. Han Kuo-yu’s secret meetings. Chang Ya-chung joins KMT chair race. Wu Sz-huai makes unpopular statements, again. Ministry of Digital Development proposed. Big funding for pork.

Water crisis worsening. German company stiffs Taiwan on vaccines. Ma comments provoke ire. TVBS local leaders poll. Gold Cards up. KMT, DPP clash on constitutional reform. Coast Guard goes big on Taiwan. Domestic military production up. Hsiao Bi-khim gets pithy.

Taoyuan outbreak not contained. Vaccines are coming. International students to be allowed in. 3Q recall passes first hurdle. Exports boom. President comments on China ties, China lies in return, and Chiang supports Tsai. Prague Mayor slams China, praises Taiwan ties.

Transcript here: https://report.tw/taiwan-headlines-feb-10/

Huang Jie survives recall. Forex reserves hit record high. Protest against Myanmar coup. CTS, PTS and Homeplus team up to grab Channel 52. US survey shows increasing support for defending Taiwan militarily. Japanese lawmakers call for local Taiwan Relations Act.

New COVID death, two new transmissions. School out for extra days. Childcare subsidies rise. Principal charged with selling Sri Lankans for labour. Military reservists rule changes. Taiwan democracy tops Asia. US Navy in Taiwan Strait. Guyana renegs on Taiwan office.

Pandemic measures continue to grow. DPP lawmakers to take on anthem, constitution. PMI booming. Taiwan second in Asia-Pacific healthcare. Turks caught spying. Taiwan and Poland team up on crime.

One new death from Covid. Four indicted for docking foreign worker's pay. NPP bill asking MOI to investigate national emblem passes. DPP bill to decommission Taichung coal-fired generators passes. GDP growth surpasses China's. More strong words of support from US.

Recall drive against Kao Min-lin comes up short. New Party and KMT city councillors questioned. New water measures. Google invests big. Chipmakers up automotive chip capacity. The economy is hot. Cyberattacks are up. Military kit revealed. Beijing increasingly talks war.

Covid cluster grows. Taiwan's population drops. Most are satisfied with job, gender equality. Man eggs CKS statue. Government Chinese IT kit to go. International pressure over automotive chips. Flying squirrel, Yuhan launched into space. PRC belligerence rises. Hsiao Bi-khim quarantined.

eID plans suspended. KMT bleeding cash. Nuke referendum on. Exports surge, FDI droops. American business bullish on Taiwan. Bloomberg honours Hsiao Bi-khim. Craft shows support on way out. EU Parliament supports Taiwan.

Coronavirus outbreak grows. Old map in legislature questioned. Large scale corruption in the judiciary. Sunflower activists get reprieve. Ex-presidential spox impeached. Foxconn moving into cars. China will sanction US officials over Taiwan.

Taiwan to launch Flying Squirrel and Yushan into space. DGH chides KMT's pig vehicle. Wang Hao-yu recalled. New domestic coronavirus case. Foreigners get extension. Japan is closing borders. Taiwan's navy to skip port calls. The Journalist moves online. Chunghwa Telecom makes a profit. Crowdfunding soars. Tax target missed. Central bank begs public on US$. Indonesia defers fees decision. CFR warns on war. Tsai talks with US UN ambassader. Taiwan rep meets another US ambassador. Danish lawmakers support Taiwan in WHO.

Two new domestic coronavirus cases. Central bank investigating speculation. NPP calls for law on eIDs. New missiles can target China's interior. Taiwan rep to Holland invited to US embassy. Craft visit criticized by KMT. Japan office to honor friendship.

Record exports in 2020. Pingtung to get HSR, Science Park. Govt to spend big to get foreign investment. ROC flag makes appearance at Capitol riot. New passports hit the streets. Two more orgs now called "Chinese Taipei." Pompeo lifts restrictions on official contact.

Taiwan's population declines. Hon Hai joins car business. Taipei to challenge racto-pork import laws in court. FSC ups whistle-blower rewards tenfold. TutorABC probed over China ties. Japanese like Taiwan. Air Force 10th most powerful. US Ambassador to UN to visit.

Taiwan's workforce growth anemic. Taiwan ranks high in gender equality. Taiwan launches a "pork dashboard". KMT kicks off mass signature drive. Johnny Chiang doubles down on accusations of Tsai as "authoritarian". A string of positive economic news. No fly policy to UK extended. NCC finds malicious software in local company's China-made smartphones. MAC "shocked" at HK arrests. US Dept of State makes more pro-Taiwan moves.

A labor broker has been fined for abusing foreign fishermen. NT$ ends year strong. Foreigners left Taiwan's stock market, but it boomed anyway. MOE to help makers hit by US tariffs. Taiwanese again rally for Trump. Chen Shui-bian to not talk politics. Tsai's New Year's comments on racto-pork, and Ma's response. Tsai's New Year's comments on China, and their response. US defense bill supports Taiwan.

International students also to be barred from entering. The racto-pork ban has been lifted, and the government rules local bans invalid, but KMT plans to fight. NHI premiums rise today. The legislature passes 2021 budget. Stock market boomed in 2020. An incompetent spy found guilty. Taiwan and New Zealand firm up trade ties.